Change of use

The  City is exempted from the national permitted rights for change of use from offices to residential.

The City of London Corporation has adopted an Article 4 Direction which allows this.

Information needed in addition to the completed planning application forms and application fee

1. Two copies of all drawings and any other documents and an electronic version of all drawings and documents. Read the guidance note on the electronic submission of planning drawings and supporting documents.
2. Site location plan at a scale of 1:500 or 1:1250 scale showing the site and its surroundings. The site boundary must be clearly marked by bold black or red outline or hatching.
3. Block plan if appropriate to show the location of the works within the building. Floor plans indicating the existing and proposed uses on a floor by floor basis. These plans should be at a scale large enough to clearly show the area of the proposed use(s) (eg 1:50, 1:100 or 1:200).
4. A Planning Statement explaining the proposed change of use, particularly in relation to large developments or those contrary to the development plan.
5. Additional information to support the application, such as a covering letter and photographs.
6. Details of other uses within the building and in the immediate vicinity. Details of servicing arrangements for complex or larger change of use applications.
7. Information to enable the City of London to establish whether the development is liable for a charge under the provisions of the Mayoral and City Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Go to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Planning Obligations (S106) for more information.

Drawings should include:

• Details of waste storage and collection.
• How access for people with disabilities will be provided - a Design and Access Statement may be needed.
• Any changes to the external appearance or refuse arrangements - please refer to guidance regarding the submission of a planning application for minor redevelopment, alterations and extensions or shop fronts.
• Any air extracts, air handling equipment, or sound insulation that may be required as a consequence of the proposed change of use. In such cases, please refer to the guidance note regarding the submission of a planning application for plant.

Please note that:

• All drawings must be numbered.
• All drawings must be dimensioned, drawn to an accurate metric scale and include a scale bar.
• Each drawing must be labelled to indicate what is shown.
• Drawings must show the surrounding context and adjoining buildings and include orientation points such as street names and north points.
• If the proposal includes alterations to a building the drawings must be annotated to indicate the proposed changes, materials and finishes.
• When highlighting features and areas please use tone, varied line thickness or bold primary colours as drawings are normally only scanned in black and white.