Light Industrial
If you own any light industrial, warehouse buildings or workshops that you’re looking to either sell or convert their use to dwellings in order to maximise your investment, our property experts can help. You may even consider sub-dividing larger units into smaller workshops or even offices to optimise their value.
If you’re looking to apply for a change of use, a new permitted development right has been introduced to allow the change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from Class B1(c) - light industrial to Class C3 - dwelling/houses.
These rights will be for a temporary period of three years, starting from 1 October 2017, to enable local authorities to potentially withdraw these rights, by using Article 4 directions.
The change of use itself will be permanent. However, the change of use will be subject to a process of prior approval from the relevant local authority, with conditions and limitations, including that the gross floor space of the existing building cannot exceed 500sqm.
The local authority prior approval process includes considerations of contamination, highways and flooding impacts, together with the sustainability of the provision of industrial services in the area.
This new change represents a significant new opportunity for landowners and commercial property owners, as it may well present development prospects to add value to existing premises. The change of use does not apply to external alterations.
As with any change of use development, issues may well arise so should you need advice and guidance at any stage, our property experts will be able to help.
If you would like a free appraisal or have any queries related to the sale or change of use of your light industrial building or land, please call the Land Buying Experts on 01202 684400 or email us at info@landbuyingexperts.co.uk.
