Local Development Orders
As part of our commitment to stimulate economic growth and simplify the planning system in our new Enterprise Zone, we have adopted two Local Development Orders (LDOs). These LDOs will enable certain changes of use to take place without the need for planning permission.
Digbeth Local Development Order
The Big City Plan identifies this part of the city for growing creative businesses, developing a vibrant urban community and forming part of the 'Digital District'.
It is hoped that relaxing the need for planning permission for certain uses will drive economic growth whilst securing the future of the area’s distinctive heritage, through the use of vacant properties.
Find out if your property is in the Digbeth Local Development Order Area...
In Digbeth, the following changes of use would not require planning permission, subject to the conditions and exemptions set out in the LDO below. In summary these include:
- Business, General Industrial, Offices and Storage or Distribution uses will be able to change to Non-Residential Institutions, Assembly and Leisure, Retail, Offices, Restaurants/Cafes and Storage or Distribution uses.
- Non-Residential Institutions and Assembly and Leisure uses will be able to change to Business and Storage or Distribution uses.
- Retail premises would be able to convert to Offices, Restaurants/Cafes, Business, Storage or Distribution, Non-Residential Institutions and Assembly and Leisure.
- Offices could change to Restaurants/Cafes, Business, Storage or Distribution, Non-Residential Institutions and Assembly and Leisure.
- Restaurants/Cafes could change to Business, Storage or Distribution, Non-Residential Institutions and Assembly and Leisure.
Find out more about use classes.
There are certain exemptions to the above permitted changes with some specific changes excluded, and there would be a limit to the size of the property that could benefit from the exemption. See the adopted order and committee report below for details.
You can also find out more about the LDO in Digbeth here, on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Birmingham Science Park, Aston Local Development Order
Within the Big City Plan the Science Park is identified as a key component in driving forward the city’s knowledge economy. The primary aim of the order is to increase flexibility for ICT, digital media and creative industries within the park.
Find out if your property is in the Birmingham Science Park Aston Local Development Order Area...
The proposals would allow the following changes of use without planning permission, subject to the conditions and exemptions contained in the LDO below:
- General Industry to Business and Storage or Distribution
- Business to General Industry and Storage or Distribution
- Storage or Distribution to Business and General Industrial
- Non-Residential Institution to Business, General Industrial and Storage or Distribution.
Find out more about use classes.
There are certain exemptions to the above permitted changes with some specific changes excluded, and there would be a limit to the size of the property that could benefit from the exemption. See the adopted order and committee report below for details.
Last Updated : 16th May 2012