§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what he regards as the definition of a shop so far as planning purposes are concerned; and whether, in that connection, premises occupied by driving schools are regarded as premises in which retail trade or business is carried out.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe term "shop" is defined in Article 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972 (S.I. 1972 No. 1385) and Article 2 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1973 (S.I. 1973 No. 31). Driving schools are not premises in which a retail trade or business is carried on. The definition of "office" in each of these orders, which differs from that in former orders, expressly includes premises used for administrative purposes in connection with driving instruction; and buildings used as offices are excluded from the definition of "shop".