Commercial
Commercial work covers change of use and signage for small commercial premises: converting a building from one use to another, or getting consent for shopfront and business signage. AVA Home Design prepares change-of-use and advertisement-consent applications across London and the Home Counties, navigating the Use Classes Order to give a proposal the best chance of approval.
Small commercial projects usually come down to two questions: can this building be used for what I want, and can I put my sign up? Both are planning questions, and both reward getting the application right the first time.
We prepare change-of-use and advertisement-consent applications, confirm whether a change is permitted development or needs a full application, and coordinate any supporting information the officer asks for.
Types
- Change of use
- Moving a building between use classes, for example shop to café, or commercial to residential.
- Advertisement consent
- Consent for shopfront and business signage, especially illuminated or larger signs.
- Commercial to residential
- Converting offices or certain premises to homes, by prior approval or full planning permission.
- Mixed use
- Schemes combining commercial space with flats above or behind.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a change of use?
- Planning uses are grouped into classes by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order. Moving a building between certain classes, for example a shop to a café or commercial to residential, can need planning permission, while some changes are permitted development. We confirm whether your change needs an application and prepare it.
- Do I need permission for a shop sign?
- Many signs need advertisement consent from the council, separate from planning permission, especially illuminated signs or signs above a certain size. We prepare the advertisement-consent application with the drawings the council needs, and advise on what is allowed in your particular location.
- Can I convert commercial premises to residential?
- Often yes. Converting offices or certain commercial premises to homes can be permitted development under prior approval, or may need full planning permission depending on the building and location. We assess the route, including any HMO or overheating requirements that follow for the new dwellings.
- How long does a change-of-use application take?
- A change-of-use planning application is usually decided within 8 weeks of validation; prior-approval applications have shorter statutory periods. We handle the submission and the council’s queries, and coordinate any supporting information the officer requests.