Question about planning use classes

[benjamin163]

Hello everyone,
I am in the very early stages of starting a business selling meals to be consumed at home.
I gather that the premises I should be looking for is A1 as I am selling cold food for consumption off the premises.
But I am wondering if that class changes if I prepare that food on site.
To be clear, the food needs cooking, cooling and packaging before being sold.
I would love to be able to do that all on one premises but am not sure if the cooking of the food on the premises means I need to be looking at A3 use class.
Any help gratefully received.
Thank you.

 

[kulture]

Your best bet would be to phone your local council and talk to the planning officer. After all it is their interpretation that matters.

 

[benjamin163]

Ah, thanks for that. I didn't realise that it was open to interpretation. Is it done on a site by site basis? Do different councils have different rules? I will certainly take your advice though. Thanks for the reply.

 

[kulture]

All councils have to obey the national planning laws. They will be able to not only tell you what planning class you should have, but also the likelihood of you getting it. They should be able to explain why it is A1 or A3 or whatever other class they deem it should be. Planning law can be complex, and to you or me it may be obvious that it is one class, but to a planner some pertinent fact may mean it is in fact a different class.