The Land Planning and Development (Use Classes) Ordinance, 2007 (the 'Use Classes Ordinance'), came into force on 6th April 2009. Planning permission is required to change from one use to another between different use classes but not to change from one use to another within each of the numbered use classes. The Use Classes Ordinance currently contains 44 separate use classes along with a list of specific uses which do not fall within any use class (known as 'sui generis' uses).
The Environment Department has carried out a review of the current Use Classes Ordinance and is proposing a number of amendments.
The main objectives of this review are:-
- To simplify the current Use Classes Ordinance and reduce the number of use classes,
- To create more flexibility in the operation of the Ordinance and add further permitted changes between classes where appropriate, and
- To add new use classes where relevant to reflect changed circumstances and the development of new policy approaches.
In particular, the Department has identified scope to simplify the Use Classes Ordinance, reducing the number of use classes from 44 to 28. Some changes are also being proposed to reflect the number of permitted changes between use classes in appropriate circumstances. A limited number of new use classes are proposed to reflect changed circumstances and the development of new policy approaches, particularly in relation to certain housing and retail uses.
The purpose of this consultation is to publicise the Department's proposals to amend the Use Classes Ordinance and to gather views from the public and other stakeholders as to whether its proposals are considered to be appropriate and effective in meeting the objectives referred to above, and if there are any other issues that should be considered.
Updated: September 2015
