NEW Permitted Development for Takeaways

With effect from 10am Tuesday 24 March 2020, in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Government have introduced time-limited permitted development rights to allow the temporary change of use of a pub (A4 - drinking establishment) and a restaurant (A3 – restaurants and cafes) to a hot-food take away (A5 use class) for a period of up to 12 months. The permitted change of use also seeks to cover cold and pre-prepared food and will allow for takeaway and delivery.

For the duration of the time a pub, restaurant or café is used as a takeaway, it will remain in its current use class and after the 12 months temporary permitted development right period has expired, planning permission would be necessary for the takeaway use to continue. Businesses will be required to tell the local planning authority when the new use begins and ends.

It should be noted that the new rights do not include serving of alcoholic drinks which will continue to be subject to existing licensing laws.