Planning Policy Consultations
Open Consultations
There are currently no open consultations
Closed Consultations
Local Plan Partial Review
The consultation on the Local Plan Review closed on 14 February 2025. This was submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination on 15 August 2025.
For more information visit the Local Plan Partial Update pages.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
This consultation closed on 18 February 2025 and the revised Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule was submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination on 15 August 2025.
Public Consultation - Article 4 Directions - Gunnels Wood/Pin Green
The consultation on the Article 4 Directions closed on 18 February 2025.
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
Stevenage Borough Council confirmed Directions under Article 4 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, as amended, on 16 December 2022.
The Directions included protection to existing employment uses within the Gunnels Wood and Pin Green Employment Areas. They removed permitted development rights currently in place, or that were due to come into force, relating to the following changes of uses:
- E(g)(i) (offices) to C3 (dwellinghouses)
- E(g)(iii) (light industrial) to C3 (dwellinghouses)
- Notice of Directions Class e(g)(i) Office and E(g)(iii) Light Industrial to Class C3 (Residential) - pdf (93.7 KB) - opens document in new window
- Notice of Confirmation of Article 4 Direction from Class E(g)(i) offices to Class C3 (exempt) - pdf (542.4 KB) - opens document in new window
- Notice of Confirmation of Article 4 Direction from Class E(g)(iii) light industrial to Class C3 (exempt) - pdf (550.8 KB) - opens document in new window
- Article 4 Direction (Office to Residential) - pdf (842.3 KB) - opens document in new window
- Article 4 Direction (Light Industrial to Residential) - pdf (840.9 KB) - opens document in new window
- Areas covered by the Article 4 Direction E(g)(i) Offices - pdf (466.7 KB) - opens document in new window
- Areas covered by the Article 4 Direction E(g)(iii) Light Industrial - pdf (472.3 KB) - opens document in new window
With effect from 1 August 2021 Class MA was inserted into Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 ("the General Permitted Development Order").
The council is, therefore, seeking amendment for removal of Class PA to make and confirm a Direction under Article 4(1) of the General Permitted Development Order disapplying Class MA for E(g)(i), offices and E(g)(iii), light industrial use, to residential for the same sites within the designated employment areas of Gunnel Wood and Pin Green.
- Notice of Directions Class E(g)(iii) Light Industrial to Class C3 (Dwellinghouses) - pdf (1.7 MB) - opens document in new window
- Notice of Directions Class E(g)(i) Office to Class C3 (Dwellinghouses) - pdf (443.2 KB) - opens document in new window
- Article 4 Direction Relating to Change of Use from Class E(g)(i) Offices to Class C3 Dwellinghouses - pdf (1.4 MB) - opens document in new window
- Article 4 Direction Relating to Change of Use from Class E(g)(iii) Light Industrial to Class C3 Dwellinghouses. - pdf (1.3 MB) - opens document in new window
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.
- Confirmation of Direction - Houses in Multiple Occupation - pdf (86.8 KB) - opens document in new window
- Notice of Direction Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) - pdf (202.7 KB) - opens document in new window
- Article 4 Direction Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) - pdf (718.4 KB) - opens document in new window
- Further information Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) - pdf (185.3 KB) - opens document in new window
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.