The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Order 2015 (SI 2015/597) comes into force on 15 April. The 2015 Order amends the 1987 Order by providing that use of premises as a betting office or as a pay day loan shop are sui generis. Previously betting offices and pay day loan shops had fallen within class A2 (financial and professional services) of the 1987 Order. The 2015 Order makes transitional provisions for premises within class A2 which are in the process of converting to a betting office or a pay day loan shop. Such premises will be treated as if they remain within class A2. The transitional provisions cease to have effect three years after the 2015 Order comes into force. This will have an interesting impact on the Street scene of many communities. Hopefully it will be a positive impact in the leafy suburbs but could lead to more vacant lots in the hard core regeneration areas.
David Ashworth, Senior Consultant, FoddyConsult
david@foddyconsult.co.uk