Some types of development can be carried out without the need to submit an application for planning permission. These are called permitted development rights and are set out within The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).
Article 4 of the General Permitted Development Order allows local planning authorities to withdraw specific permitted development rights across a defined area.
For details on how Article 4 Directions affect householder development in Peterborough, please visit our Conservation - Article 4 page.
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)- Article 4 Direction
Under permitted development rights, a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) can be converted to a ‘small’ House in Multiple Occupation (HMO, Use Class C4) without requiring an application for planning permission.
A ‘small HMO’ is defined as a small shared house occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
The HMO Article 4 Direction below removes this permitted development right in areas of:
- Fletton
- Woodston
- Hampton
- Park
Therefore, anyone wishing the convert a dwellinghouse to a small HMO within these areas will need to apply to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) for full planning permission.
Small HMOs (Use Class C4) are limited to dwellinghouses with no more than six residents. Therefore, HMOs with more than six residents become a ‘sui generis’ use and a change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a ‘larger’ HMO (sui generis use) will always require a full application for planning permission.
If you are hoping to convert a dwellinghouse to a HMO, it is recommended that pre-application advice is sought prior to submission of an application for planning permission. For more details on pre-planning application information, visit our planning advice page.
Whilst the HMO Article 4 Direction has implications for planning, this does not alter the licensing requirements for HMOs. You can find out more on our Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) page.
Making of the HMO - Article 4 Direction
The HMO Article 4 Direction came into force on 1 January 2024 following a consultation event. Visit our Small Homes in Multiple Occupation - Article 4 consultation webpage for more information.
Future of the HMO - Article 4 Direction
The HMO Article 4 Direction expires on the 1 January 2026 and given the extensive research required to support such Directions we are unable to advise whether the Article 4 will be continued or altered at this time.
We will consider whether the Article 4 has been effective, whether it should carry on or be extended to other areas, and what the implications may be. Currently, we are gathering evidence to build up a picture so we can make an informed decision.