Change of use of amusement arcades/centres or casinos to dwellinghouses

Permitted development rights exist under Part 3 Class N of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (GPDO) to allow the change of use of existing amusement centres/arcades and any land within its curtilage to dwellinghouses (Use Class C3).

It also includes provision for building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building.

For these permitted development rights to apply:

• the building and land concerned must not be in Saltaire World Heritage site, a site of special scientific interest, a safety hazard area, contain a scheduled monument, be a listed building or in the curtilage of a listed building
• the building must be solely in use as an amusement centre/arcade or casino on 19 March 2014 or if not in use on that date when it was last used
• the cumulative area of floor space within the existing building changing use shall not exceed 150 square metres
• the development together with any previous development under Class N would not exceed 150 square metres of floor space in the building
• building operations would only comprise of the installation or replacement of windows, doors, roofs, exterior walls, water, drainage, electricity, gas or other services to enable the building to function as a dwelling
• building operations would only comprise of partial demolition reasonably necessary to carry out the building works permitted above

The developer must notify the Council that they wish to change the use of the existing building to residential use and provide the following details:

1. a written description of the proposal which must include any building operations
2. a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development
3. a statement specifying the net increase in dwellinghouses proposed by the development 
4. floor plans indicating the dimensions and proposed use of each room, the position and dimensions of windows, doors and walls, and the elevations of the dwellinghouses
5. a contact address for the applicant
6. an email address if the applicant is happy to receive correspondence by email

However, no fee will be payable where an application for planning permission relating to development of the same buildings or land is submitted at the same time as the prior notification application, by or on behalf of the same applicant.

Please note that the Council may require the submission of additional information reasonably required to determine the application including assessments of risks or impacts or statements setting out how risks are to be mitigated or details of the proposed building operations.

Development commenced under Part 3 Class N of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 2015 is liable to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). More information about the CIL requirements can be found on the Community Infrastructure Levy Requirements page.

Application form

Apply via the Planning Portal