What is an Article 4 Direction?

An Article 4 Direction removes permitted development rights and requires a planning application to be submitted.

Article 4 Directions are a means by which a local planning authority can bring within planning control certain types of development, or changes of use, which would normally be ‘permitted development’ (i.e. not require an application for planning permission).

Article 4 Directions relating to Gunnels Wood and Pin Green Employment areas

We have made three non-immediate Article 4 Directions, which remove permitted development rights for changes of use from B1(a) (offices) and B1(c) (light industrial) to C3 (residential). The Article 4 directions were made on 15 June 2017 and were confirmed on 21 December 2017.

The Direction for Class B1(a) (office) to Class C3 (residential) for those areas currently exempt came into force on 30 May 2019.

The Direction for Class B1(a) (office) to Class C3 (residential) for those areas not currently covered by our exemption came into force on 15 June 2018.

The Direction for Class B1c (light industrial) to Class C3 (residential) came into force on 15 June 2018.

Article 4 Direction: relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

We have made a non-immediate Article 4 Direction, which removes permitted development rights for changes of use from C3 (residential) to C4 (HMO). The Article 4 direction was made on 19 September 2016 and was confirmed on 24 May 2017. The Direction will come into force on 20 September 2017.

Copies of the Directions can also be viewed at our offices in Danestrete, Stevenage Central Library at Southgate and the Old Town Library at 38 High Street.