20 St Thomas Street, Wells, BA5 2UX

prior approval of proposed change of use of a building from commercial (Use Class E) to residential (Use Class C3)

Authority: Somerset Council
Appeal type: Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Postcode: BA5 2UX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the proposals constitute permitted development under Class MA of the GPDO, with particular regard to whether the use of the building falls within Class E of the UCO

What decided it

The first floor was not physically separate or capable of independent occupation from the ground floor commercial use, making the building a mixed-use property rather than a Class E use building, and therefore not qualifying for permitted development under Class MA of the GPDO.

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