planning permission on unit to let

greg4577

Looking for advice

I’m starting a business and was looking at an office to let for my clients to come to me but I will also be selling/supplying them with items for their wedding.

I’ve been told by the landlord the unit does not have planning permission as a retail unit but he doesn’t think this will be a problem as it is located in a shopping centre (he is going to say that anyway)

My question is, when the authorities find me trading in a office what will happen (close me down/fine) And how do I apply to change the permission from office space to retail and is it difficult to get and how long does the process take (can’t find anything on the sdcc website)

Thanks for the advice in advance…….

murphaph

If the unit is in a shopping centre then change of use PP to retail should be no problem. Contentious change of uses are usually fast food related. I'd be more wary of any covenants that would prevent you selling a particular product. For example-an anchor tenant can often throw their weight around and force the landlord to prevent anyone else from selling (for example) beers and spirits. This happens a lot in small community shopping centres. I wouldn't sign any lease unless you have PP in your hand or unless the lease is dependent on PP coming through. You cannot let yourself end up in a situation whereby you have a lease and rent to pay on a useless property.

TCP/IP_King

Planning info ...
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/