BCP Council (Poole): We are are delighted to announce that Pure Town Planning has secured Prior Approval for the change of use of a former accountants office in Parkstone Road, Poole from commercial offices (Class E) to two self-contained residential flats (Class C3) The scheme was designed by AG Design for a mutual client.
The application was made under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) – the permitted development right which allows vacant commercial, business and service premises to be converted to residential use without the need for a full planning application, provided a series of criteria are satisfied.
Tower House is a two-storey semi-detached building occupying a prominent corner plot at the junction of Parkstone Road and Elizabeth Road. Having last been in lawful office use, the building had been left vacant – a redundant commercial asset in a mixed area of residential properties, offices and the nearby hospital, and a prime candidate for conversion to much-needed housing.
The Council’s planning officer’s report was supportive across every prior approval matter:
A highly sustainable location – BCP Council’s Highway Authority confirmed the site sits within a Zone A parking location, considered highly sustainable with excellent access to public transport, services, shops and other facilities. Under the BCP Parking Standards, residential development in Zone A locations can be supported with zero car parking – although in this case two parking spaces are retained to the front of the site for the new flats.
A highway improvement – With the existing access from Elizabeth Road retained and the rear parking area converted into private amenity space for future residents, the Highway Authority concluded the scheme would likely reduce vehicle movements from the site – considered a positive highway improvement. Secure, covered cycle parking for seven bikes further supports sustainable travel.
High-quality living conditions – The plans demonstrated that all habitable rooms would benefit from adequate natural light, and with the surrounding area comprising homes, offices and the hospital, officers were satisfied future occupiers would not be harmed by commercial noise.
No technical constraints – The site falls outside flood risk zones 2 and 3 and is not at risk from surface water flooding, the Environmental Health Team raised no contamination concerns, and Waste Management offered no objection following an amended site plan repositioning the bin store.
Why This Matters
This decision demonstrates the real value of Class MA permitted development rights. Vacant office buildings can be transformed into quality homes through a streamlined prior approval route – often quicker and with greater certainty than a conventional planning application. With no public objections and a supportive officer report, Prior Approval was granted, breathing new life into a redundant building and delivering two new homes in a highly sustainable location.
At Pure Town Planning we have an excellent track record with Class MA and other prior approval applications, understanding exactly what Local Planning Authorities need to see to reach a positive decision – from highways and natural light assessments to the intricacies of heathland and nutrient mitigation.
If you own a redundant commercial premises and are seeking redevelopment opportunities, contact Pure Town Planning today – we would be delighted to help you unlock your site’s potential.