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Article 4 Directions

What are Article 4 Directions? 

Permitted development rights in national planning legislation allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application. An Article 4 Direction removes certain permitted development rights for a specific property or area, meaning a planning permission from the council will be needed should someone wish to carry out the prescribed development.

Such an application will then be assessed like any other, against the relevant policies in the development plan and material considerations. They will also be subject to planning application fees, inline with other change of use applications.

Further information on permitted development and Article 4 Directions can be found on the national Planning Portal. 

Confirmed Article 4 Directions

Changes of use from Class E uses to Residential

The council has confirmed an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development rights for changes of use from Class E uses to Residential (Class C3) uses in certain parts of the borough.

This was approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 1 August 2022 and will come into force on 18 August 2022.

You can view the following map to see which areas of the borough are covered by the Article 4 direction.

Changes of use from residential dwellings to small houses in multiple occupation

The council has confirmed an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development right for changes of use from residential dwellings (C3 use class) to small houses in multiple occupation (C4 use class). This was approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 29 January 2020 and came into force on 1 January 2021. 

This direction applies to the whole of the borough.

The Article 4 direction and supporting information are available to view:

  • Notice
  • Article 4 direction
  • Cabinet report
  • Map
  • Justification Report for Article 4 direction
  • Equalities Impact Assessment - Equality assurance checklist.







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What are Article 4 Directions? 

Permitted development rights in national planning legislation allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application. An Article 4 Direction removes certain permitted development rights for a specific property or area, meaning a planning permission from the council will be needed should someone wish to carry out the prescribed development.

Such an application will then be assessed like any other, against the relevant policies in the development plan and material considerations. They will also be subject to planning application fees, inline with other change of use applications.

Further information on permitted development and Article 4 Directions can be found on the national Planning Portal. 

Confirmed Article 4 Direction 

Changes of use from offices to residential

The council has confirmed an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development right for changes of use from offices (B1(a) use class) to residential (C3 use class). This was approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 30 January 2018 and came into force on 1 June 2019. 

The area to which this applies can be seen on the following map.

The Article 4 direction and supporting information (in pdf) are available to view:

Changes of use from residential dwellings to small houses in multiple occupation

The council has confirmed an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development right for changes of use from residential dwellings (C3 use class) to small houses in multiple occupation (C4 use class). This was approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 29 January 2020 and came into force on 1 January 2021. 

This direction applies to the whole of the borough.

The Article 4 direction and supporting information are available to view:

  • Notice
  • Article 4 direction
  • Cabinet report
  • Map
  • Justification Report for Article 4 direction
  • Equalities Impact Assessment - Equality assurance checklist.

Changes of use from certain town centre uses to residential

The council has confirmed an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development right for changes of use from shops (A1 use class), financial and professional services (A2 use class), betting offices or pay day loan shops (including buildings where these uses are combined with residential) to a residential dwelling (C3 use class). This was approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 29 January 2020 and came into force on 1 January 2021. 

This direction applies to the Central Activity Zone, activity areas and town centres defined in Tower Hamlets Local Plan.  You can see a map of the areas affected as follows.

The Article 4 direction and supporting information are available to view below:

  • Notice
  • Article 4 direction
  • Map
  • Cabinet report
  • Justification Report for Article 4 direction
  • Equalities Impact Assessment - Equality assurance checklist