MATERIAL CHANGE IN USE (MCU)

Arnold Development Consultants (ADC), established in the 1960’s, is a multidisciplinary Land Development Strategies firm which specialises in town planning, land surveying, urban design and project management. Our expertise in this field is listed below.

Planning for a change in land use designation typically involves (should the scale of change be of a certain intensity) an application to local Council. Council refers to such a change as a “Material Change in Use” (MCU) and there are differing levels of assessment when a MCU application is lodged with Council. These levels are dependent upon the desirability, or otherwise, of a particular use within a particular domain (formally zone).

When the scale or density of an existing lawful use is proposed to be increased, seeking an approval with a MCU application to Council is the first step prior to proceeding with the proposed development.

Secondly, when the designated land use is proposed to be changed completely (eg- from a residential detached dwelling house to a duplex or ‘Bed and Breakfast’) then submission of a MCU application to local Council is similarly the first step prior to proceeding with the proposed development.

ADC can assist by:

• Conducting a preliminary feasibility (chance of success, timelines and cost);
• Advising the inquirer as to the most appropriate mechanism for progression; and Acting on behalf of the inquirer by lodging an application to Council seeking approval for the proposed development.