RES exam question on Planning & Development: of the plans are a material change of use
A salesperson is advising four owners, none of whom plans any building works. She checks each plan against section 3 of the Planning Act 1998, which lists uses the Act treats as a material change of use and uses it excludes from development. (i) Letting out a detached house as two separate homes, each with its own tenants. (ii) Putting up a large advertising banner on an external wall not normally used for advertising. (iii) Using a warehouse, never built for people to live in, as living quarters for staff. (iv) Using the garage of a house as a hobby room for the family who live there. Which of the plans are a material change of use?
- A(i) and (iii) only
- B(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
- C(i), (ii) and (iii) only
- DAll of the above
Show answer & explanation
Answer
C. (i), (ii) and (iii) only
Explanation
Answer: (i), (ii) and (iii) only. The Act declares the first three plans material changes of use, and excludes incidental household use within a house's curtilage.(i) True. Using as 2 or more separate houses a building previously used as a single house is declared a material change of use.(ii) True. Using an external part of a building not normally used for advertisements to display them is declared a material change of use.(iii) True. Using as a dwelling house a building not originally built for human habitation is declared a material change of use.Rule: Some uses are declared material changes of use even without building works. Incidental household use within a dwelling house's curtilage is not development.Source: Planning Act 1998, s 3(2)(f), s 3(3)(a), s 3(3)(b) and s 3(3)(f), as at 1 October 2026 (sso.agc.gov.sg)
Why the other options are wrong
- (iv) False. Using a building within the curtilage of a dwelling house for a purpose incidental to enjoying the house is excluded from development.
Study the concept behind this question: Planning Permission, Enforcement & Building Control
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