Article 4 Direction Consultation

Hello, and welcome to OPDC's home for the Article 4 Direction. The period to submit representations ended on 30 July 2021 (midnight).

Consultation has now closed

Thank you to those who have provided comments.

You can find all our consultation documents, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, ongoing updates and more on the right of this page.

What was consulted on?

We invited comments on the proposal to introduce an Article 4 Direction removing permitted development rights to change Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) to Class C3 (Residential) in parts of the OPDC area. Class E includes:

• Shops
• Financial and professional services
• Food and drink
• Offices
• Light industrial
• Research and development of products and processes
• Some health/community infrastructure (clinics, health centres, creches, nurseries, day centre)
• Some indoor recreation uses

Further guidance on the use classes and rules regarding these permitted development rights can be found on the Planning Portal.

When did consultation take place?

The period to submit representations was between 8 - 30 July 2021 (midnight).

What's happened since then?

• On 22nd June 2022, OPDC Board decided to confirm the Article 4 Direction decision
• The Article 4 Direction will come into effect on 1st August 2022. This will have the effect of removing specific permitted development rights meaning the change of use of buildings currently in Class E use to a residential use (C3) would then require a planning application for planning permission.

You can see all the steps in the process on the right of this page. More information including a copy of the confirmed Article Direction and Article 4 Direction Plan can be found on the OPDC website