I will be interested to see how the Council approaches this one.

Two of the units are Use Class A3 and the third is A1. Given that change of use from A3 to A1 is permitted, the three units could be converted to A1 without permission. These in turn could then be merged into a single larger shop without permission because no change of use would have resulted.

In this case the proposal needs permission anyway because of the additional flats and alterations to the rear of the shop.

My prediction - the application will be refused due to inadequate space provided in some of the flats but the principle of the larger shop would be acceptable as the change doesn't need permission. I might be wrong.