C2 Use Class – Residential institutions

The C2 Use Class (Residential Institutions) has two parts, with the second part (C2A use) being for secure institutions.

C2 Use Class – Residential institutions

C2 Use Class (Residential Institutions) relates to the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care (other than a use within class C3 (dwelling houses). For example for use as a hospital or nursing home (including residential care homes), for use as a residential school (i.e. boarding school), college or training centre.

C2A Use Class relates to secure institutions. These include use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks

In the original Use Classes Order, care was defined as “Personal care for people in need of such care by reason of old age, disablement, past or present dependence on alcohol or past or present mental disorder.”

C2 Use Class and C3b Use Classes

The C3 use class relates to Dwelling Houses generally. Within that use class, C3b covers up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g., supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

Plande has been involved with numerous projects where clients seek to use dwelling houses for care, including for looked after children, where an existing residential property is preferred for various reasons.

A Lawful Development Certificate can be used to confirm such use is lawful, which can often be beneficial rather than submitting a planning application that would be subject to neighbour and statutory consultations and planning justification and judgement.

Retaining (or obtaining approval for) a C3b use can have many benefits and drawbacks, including permitted development, housing targets and policies, planning contributions and careful consideration should be given for current and future needs.

C2 Use Class – Residential institutions

What is the difference between D1 & C2 Use Class?

The difference between D1 (Non-residential institutions) is that with a C2 use class there is an element of “residential” i.e. people staying/ living there. Class D was revoked in England in September 2020

C2 Planning Use or Sui Generis?

Sometimes the use doesn’t fall neatly into either C2, C2A or C3b use classes which would mean the proposed use would be considered Sui Generis. For more information, please click here.

 

Specialist advice should be required to determine the correct use category and whether planning permission is required for any use, change of use or works to the relevant buildings.

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CASE STUDIES

The following are a sample of interesting or challenging projects.

Wales - C2 Use Class

This use class is applicable in Wales, although the specific allowable inclusions or exclusions, (as well as allowable permitted development changes of use), may vary from those stated above.

Scotland - Class 8

In Scotland, Class C8 relates to Residential Institutions:

for the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care other than a use within class 9 (houses);
as a hospital or nursing home; or
as a residential school, college or training centre.

Class C8A is Secure Residential Institutions for use for the provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short-term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as military barracks.

Northern Ireland - Class C3 & C4

In Northern Ireland the Use Class is separated into two distinct classes:

Class C3: Residential Institutions
Use:
for the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care (other than a use within Class C1 (Dwellinghouses);
as a hospital or nursing home; or
as a residential school, college or training centre.

C4: Secure Residential Institutions.
Use for the provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders centre, detention centre, juvenile justice centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, or use as a military barracks.

Disclaimer: This page provides an introduction only and is not a definitive statement of the law and should therefore not be relied upon. The information above relates to England only. Policies across the rest of the UK may differ. Contact your Local Planning Authority for advice and confirmation before any works are carried out. All images used are for illustrative purposes only. Read the full disclaimer here.

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