What is an Article 4 direction?
Householders can normally make minor alterations to their houses without requiring planning permission. This is called "permitted development". However, in some areas, most notably in Conservation Areas, the council has removed these "permitted development" rights by making an Article 4 Direction. The areas affected are listed to the left, and at the bottom of this page, and you can view maps of them.
The effect of an Article 4 Direction
The effect of an Article 4 Direction is that planning permission is likely to be required for works which affect the appearance of the outside of the properties. The restrictions may differ slightly from area to area, but generally they would include, for instance:
- Extensions to the property
- Outside alterations such as new windows or doors
- Re-roofing or alterations to chimneys, ridge tiles etc.
- Porches
- Covering gardens in concrete or tarmac or taking down garden walls or fences to make car parking spaces
- Putting up gates, fences or walls
- Covering the walls by rendering or painting the brickwork
If any of these alterations are made without planning permission, the Council could take action to restore the original appearance of the property at the owner's expense.
Repair and maintenance work which does not change the appearance of the property will not need planning permission provided that the same types of materials are used.
If your house is affected by an Article 4 Direction, and you are not sure whether work you are intending needs planning permission always check with us before you start work. For further information and guidance, please contact our Conservation Team.
Areas covered by Article 4 Directions:
Our website has
maps of areas affected by Article 4 Directions, and full details of each can be viewed by clicking on the individual links.
