Article 4 Directions
An Article 4 Direction can be made under Article 4 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. An Article 4 Direction is applied to a particular area in order to restrict the work that can be carried out without planning permission. Where an Article 4 Direction is in place, planning permission will be required to carry out the relevant work as specified within the Direction.
All Article 4 Directions currently in effect within Bexley are listed below.
Latest Article 4 Direction
In response to growing issues around the loss of commercial floorspace in the borough’s designated industrial locations, the Council made an non-immediate Article 4 Direction on 22 November 2023. The Article 4 Direction is proposed to come into force on 1 December 2024, subject to the consideration of consultation comments received, the views of the Secretary of State and subsequent confirmation by the Council.
The Direction relates to a change of use from a commercial, business and service use (falling within Class E) to a residential use (falling within Class C3) and removes permitted development rights for this type of development (under Class MA, Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015).
Planning permission will therefore be needed for this type of development. The Article 4 Direction applies to designated industrial land within London Borough of Bexley, as illustrated on the maps that form part of the Direction.
Consultation on this Direction runs for three months from 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024 and information can be found on the Council’s consultation webpage.
Previous Article 4 Directions
Conservation Area Article 4 Directions
HMO Article 4 Direction
In response to growing issues around small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough, the Council made a borough-wide Article 4 Direction which came into force on 24 September 2017.
The Direction relates to development comprising of a change of use from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to a use falling within Class C4 (house in multiple occupation), and removes Permitted Development rights for this type of development.
Planning permission will therefore be required for change of use from Class C3 to Class C4. The Article 4 Direction applies to the whole of the London Borough of Bexley.