Local Article 4 directions

Article 4 directions allow a local authority to remove permitted development rights.

This means you need permission for developments (or changes of use) that wouldn’t normally be required under national planning policy.

5 May 2022

Consultation: Non - Immediate Article 4 direction for Class E.

We are consulting on the introduction of a Non- Immediate Article 4 Direction between 5 May and 16 June 2022.

You will soon require planning permission to change a unit in Class E – Commercial, Business and Service Use to dwelling houses (C3) This applies in Walthamstow town centre, designated employment areas and district and neighbourhood centres. Elsewhere, permitted development rights remain in place.

You can view a copy of the Direction, including the detailed maps, during normal office hours at Town Hall Reception, Waltham Forest Town Hall Complex, Forest Road, London E17 4JF or online using the links below: 

• Notice of the making of Article 4 (1) Direction without immediate effect relating to Change of Use from Commericial, Business and Service uses to Residential. 
• Signed Article 4 Direction
• Signed A3 Plans

Representations should be sent by email to localplanconsulations@walthamforest.gov.uk or by post to London Borough of Waltham Forest, Planning Policy and Regeneration, Town Hall Complex, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JF. The Council will take into account any representations that are received before 5pm on 16 June 2022 in deciding whether to confirm the making of the Article 4 Direction.

Article 4 direction for light industrial units

We introduced an Article 4 direction in November 2016 to remove permitted development rights to change use from light industrial (B1c) to dwelling houses (C3). This is borough-wide.

• Copy of the direction (PDF)
• Notice of confirmation (Word)

You can view a copy of the direction, including a map of the area covered  during normal office hours at The Magistrates, 1 Farnan Avenue, Walthamstow, London E17 4NX.

For more detail, see the Planning Policy Consultations webpage.

Article 4 direction for shops

You now require planning permission to change a retail shop (use class A1) to any of the following: financial and professional services (A2); restaurants (A3), dwelling houses (C3) or assembly and leisure (D2). This is borough-wide.

Confirmation of the Article 4 direction 

• Notice of confirmation (PDF)
• Confirmed Article 4 direction and map (PDF)

Background information 

• Public notice (PDF)
• Article 4 direction and map (PDF)
• Evidence base statement (PDF)

Article 4 direction for offices B1a

We've removed permitted development rights for change of use from Class B1a (offices) to Class C3 (houses). This applies in Walthamstow town centre, designated employment areas and district and neighbourhood centres. Elsewhere, permitted development rights are in place.

You can view a copy of the Direction, including the map, during normal office hours at The Magistrates, Waltham Forest Town Hall Complex, Forest Road, London E17 4JF

Confirmation of the Article 4 direction

• Notice of Confirmation (varied A4D) – B1a to C3 (Word)
• Confirmed order (PDF)

Consultation on the varied Article 4 direction

• Notice of variation (PDF)
• Article 4 direction and map (PDF)

Background information

• Original public notice (PDF)
• Original Article 4 direction and map (PDF)

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

An HMO is a small shared dwelling house or flat which is the main home for three to six unrelated individuals who share amenities.

They fall within Use Class C4 of the government's Use Class Order.

Under national planning policy, a change of use from a dwelling house (C3) to a HMO (C4) is normally permitted development.

However, there is an Article 4 direction in place across the borough which means you’ll need planning permission for this change of use.

Confirmation of the Article 4 direction

• Notice of confirmation (PDF)
• Confirmation order (PDF)
• Map of the area (PDF)

Background information

• Public notice (PDF)
• Article 4 direction (PDF)
• Map of area covered (PDF)
• Supporting evidence (PDF)

Conservation areas

Article 4 directions also apply to conservation areas. Conservation areas have special architectural or historic interest. Their character is considered necessary to preserve or enhance the area. 

See our conservation areas page to find out:

• where Waltham Forest's conservation areas are 
• if a conservation area has an Article 4 direction attached to it
• what an Article 4 direction means for proposed building works