Confirmation of Article 4 Direction
Confirmation of an Article 4 Direction relating to the removal of permitted development rights to change use from C3 (dwelling house) to C4 (house in multiple occupation) within central wards in Rugby
On Wednesday 25 September 2024, the council confirmed an Article 4 Direction which was made and consulted on in February 2024.
The direction comes into force on 23 February 2025.
The direction requires all proposed changes of use from a dwelling house (class C3) to a small HMO (class C4) to apply for planning permission, within the area defined by the direction.
A change of use from class C3 to class C4 generally benefits from deemed consent under Permitted Development Rights.
However, the Article 4 Direction aims to enable greater oversight and management of HMO development within the central area of Rugby, specifically the following wards:
- Benn
- Coton and Boughton
- Eastlands
- New Bilton
- Newbold and Brownsover
The Article 4 Direction forms part of the council's response to community feedback concerning concentrations of HMOs in the wards listed above.
During the current review of the borough's Local Plan, the council has started to explore policy options to assess applications for HMOs in the future.