Planning use classes are the legal framework which determines what a particular property may be used for by its lawful occupants. In England and Wales, these are contained within the text of Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 764). The use classes were reformed in September 2020. The 1987 use classes were replaced by the new use classes introduced in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020. The following use classes were replaced by the new Use Class E - Commercial, Business and Service: A1 - Shops A2 - Financial and Professional Services A3 - Restaurants and Cafes B1 - Business D1 - Non- residential institutions Overview The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 came into force on 1 June 1987, replacing the previous 1972 and 1983 versions. It defines the possible uses of a site, with “site” meaning “the whole area of land within a single unit of occupation”. The legislation is particularly relevant for those looking to buy, lease, rent or otherwise occupy commercial property. The vast majority of property in England will have had its permissible uses already assigned by its local authority. Use classes The classes of potential uses are divided into groups. For example, the uses falling under Part A are types of professional service provided to the public and business communities, including the sale of goods or service in shops. Each part is further divided into sub-groups, which each then contains the specific uses the law is actually concerned with. Each of the subgroups is assigned a letter (from A to D) and a number, creating for example a 'Class A1 Use', a 'Class B3 Use', etc. Each Class is used by the Local Planning Authority to allow them to create a suitable balance between residential areas and those for business purposes. They have the authority to effectively prohibit a 'use' which would be inadvisable due to a particular property's location or other relevant considerations. The aim is to prevent types of business activities taking place which would have a detrimental effect on the local community. A hypothetical example might be to veto the location of a proposed heavy metal works or all night club beside a school or housing estate. The following information represents a brief summary of the property classes of use. Not every use of building is assigned a