Creating a Flat Above a Retail Shop

14th July 2014 | Written by 4mation | Categories : Residential, Retail

Thinking of converting a space above a shop into a flat? Or converting a space over a ground floor office into two flats? Then you may be surprised to know that could be carried out without applying for planning.

The main requirements are:-

a) The space is in the same class of use as the shop or office to start with (either  Class A1 or A2).

b) The space is not in a separate planning unit from the shop

c) You will not change the outside appearance of the building

d) If there is a display window at ground floor level, you will not incorporate any of the ground floor into the flat

Even if some of the above is necessary, speak with us as sometimes there are ways and means to overcome this.