Popular searches:
Online forms temporarily unavailable
Some of our online forms are currently unavailable while we complete essential maintenance. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
An article 4 direction allows a local planning authority to remove certain permitted development rights. Where an article 4 direction is in place, planning permission is required.
If you have any questions, or would like any further information, please email planningstrategy@brent.gov.uk
The boundaries of the article 4 directions can be found on the policies map
The Council recognises the importance that Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) have in meeting housing needs. The council wants to be able to ensure that HMOs provide a suitable quality of accommodation for occupants. It also wants to ensure a reasonable amount of larger homes for families remain available.
The council confirmed an Article 4 direction to require planning permission for change of use from Residential (use Class C3) to Houses in Multiple Occupation (use Class C4) on 3 February 2022. It came into effect on 1 November 2022.
An overview map shows its locations in the Borough (.pdf, 455.3kB) C3 dwelling houses to C4 Houses in Multiple Occupation Direction Signed copy C3 dwelling houses to Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4 Direction Public Notice (.pdf, 194.8kB) C4 Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4 Direction Consultation Statement (.pdf, 651.9kB)
The council confirmed four new article 4 directions on the 29 July 2022. These are to address recent changes to the General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended). They will require planning permission for a range of developments from 1 August 2022.
These are principally for changes of use and redevelopments of Use Class E (principally focused on light industrial, research and development and offices) premises into dwellings. There are different directions related to different locations in the borough where the Council is local planning authority. Part of the London Borough of Brent is within the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation area. They have recently made their own Article 4 direction.
Each Article 4 confirmed by the council with associated public notice and supporting evidence are listed below. Please note that the Secretary of State wrote to the Council on 9 February 2024 with directions to modify four Article 4s. These directions to modify with associated maps are set out for each respective Article 4 below.
View the Consultation responses received and Council response.
Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL) and Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS):
Removal of permitted development rights Class MA ‘commercial, business and service uses to dwellinghouses’ and Class ZA ‘Demolition of buildings and construction of new buildings in their place’
The council has removed permitted development rights and requires planning permission for the above development. This is because it is concerned that the loss of existing employment uses will undermine the ability to meet floorspace needs for these uses consistent with its Local Plan policies to the detriment of the economy of Brent.
Unplanned incursions into defined industrial locations will also have the potential to significantly undermine the flexibility of those areas for a wide range of businesses uses otherwise considered appropriate in development plan policies. This will also be to the detriment of the economy of Brent.
Brent Local Plan Site Allocations:
Removal of permitted development rights Class MA ‘commercial, business and service uses to dwellinghouses’ and Class ZA ‘Demolition of buildings and construction of new buildings in their place’
The council has removed permitted development rights and requires planning permission for the above development. This is because it is concerned that the loss of existing employment uses without an appropriate level of replacement employment space will undermine the ability to meet floorspace needs for these uses consistent with its Local Plan policies to the detriment of the economy of Brent.
In addition, unplanned development within the site allocations has the ability to compromise the specific outputs of the site allocations policy and other policies in the development plan. This could result in fewer homes being delivered on those sites than might otherwise be the case through comprehensive redevelopment.
Brent Town Centres:
Removal of permitted development rights Class M ‘Other uses to dwellinghouses’ and MA ‘commercial, business and service uses to dwellinghouses’ at ground floor level and part of Class MA ‘Offices to dwelling houses’ on other floors.
The Council has removed permitted development rights and require planning permission for the above development. This is because it is concerned about the potential adverse impact that loss of commercial units to residential at ground floor level could have on the vitality and viability of Brent’s town centres.
In addition to this, on other floors within the town centre, the loss of existing office uses without an appropriate level of replacement employment space within the borough will undermine the ability to meet office floorspace needs consistent with Local Plan policies. This will be to the detriment of the economy of Brent.
Elsewhere in the borough:
Removal of permitted development rights Class MA ‘Light industrial, research and development and office to dwelling houses’
The Council has removed permitted development rights and require planning permission for the above development. This is because it is concerned about the potential adverse impact that loss of employment premises could have on the economy of Brent.
The loss of existing employment uses without an appropriate level of replacement employment space within the borough will undermine the ability to meet employment floorspace needs consistent with Local Plan policies.
Note: Some of these documents may not be accessible. If you require assistance with any of the documents, please please email planningstrategy@brent.gov.uk
All of Brent’s residential conservation areas are covered by article 4 directions.
Find out what specific planning controls are in place in each conservation area.
Manor Close: Front Garden Vehicle Parking
Manor Close was a conservation area until 2004. An Article 4 direction removing permitted development rights, otherwise allowing hard standing for vehicle parking in the front gardens of dwellings is still in effect for this area.