Commercial to Residential Article 4 Direction

The council has made an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights that allow the change of use from commercial uses to residential in Basing View, Chineham Business Park and Hampshire International Business Park.

The council made the Article 4 Direction on 27 September 2018. Following consultation from September to November 2018, the Direction was confirmed on 5 March 2019. The Direction came into force on 1 October 2019.

• The Notice of the Direction
  
• The Direction
  
• Maps showing the sites covered by the Direction

What is an Article 4 Direction?

The government has established permitted development rights that allow some commercial buildings to be converted into residential accommodation without the need to submit a full planning application. Although an application for ‘prior approval’ is still required, the Local Planning Authority is only able to take a limited range of considerations into account through this process.

However, the regulations allow councils to serve an Article 4 Direction to remove such permitted development rights where this is considered appropriate and can be justified. In such areas it would still be possible to convert offices to residential, but it would be necessary to submit a full planning application.

Further information about the Article 4 Direction

The council's reasons for making the Article 4 Direction are explained in a report to the council's Cabinet in September 2018.

Following consultation, the Direction was confirmed by the Head of Planning and Infrastructure in conjunction with the Cabinet Member in March 2018. View the report explaining this decision.

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