Article 4 Directions

An Article 4 direction removes some of the normal development rights that are available to property owners. We can issue these for various reasons to preserve elements of an area’s appearance or character. An Article 4 direction does not prevent development taking place, but it does mean that planning permission is required for the development specified.

There are a number of Article 4 directions in Reading – 15 of these relate to patterned brickwork or other architectural features, with the other two relating to conversions from a house to a small house in multiple occupation.

In addition, an Article 4 direction was made on 10 November covering a number of permitted development rights that result in new dwellings. This would apply within the town centre, district and local centres, core employment areas, other primarily commercial areas and the areas of poorest air quality. This is due to come into force on 15 November 2022. Full details are below.

An interactive map is available which shows the boundaries of all existing and emerging Article 4 directions in Reading.

Patterned brickwork and other architectural features

We want to conserve key locally distinctive buildings that contribute to the sense of place in Reading – this includes patterned brickwork and other architectural features. There are 15 Article 4 directions in Reading that remove all permitted development rights including extensions and other permitted works related to areas notable for patterned brickwork and other features. The areas are listed below. Applicants for properties in these areas are advised to contact the planning department for further information.

No. 3 Craven Road

In 2012, the Council introduced policy related to locally listed buildings and has now has a list of locally important buildings. There is an Article 4 Direction that removes permitted development rights for demolition in relation to No. 3 Craven Road.

Site Location Plan – 3 Craven Road

Public notice – Article 4 Direction

Article 4 Direction – 3 Craven Road

Article 4 confirmed immediate direction relating to 3 Craven Road, Reading

Article 4 confirmation of immediate direction relating to 3 Craven Road press and site notice

Small Houses in Multiple Occupation

A small house in multiple occupation – in the C4 planning use class – usually contains between three and six unrelated occupants who share basic amenities. You do not usually need planning permission to change a house into a small HMO (C4 use).

Article 4 Direction is in place covering parts of Park, Redlands and Katesgrove Wards, which removes normal rights to convert a house (C3 use) into a small house in multiple occupation (C4 use). This means you will need planning permission to convert a house (C3) to a small house in multiple occupation (C4) within the area shown on the Article 4 map. Conversion to a large house in multiple occupation – usually with more than 6 unrelated occupants – requires planning permission in any case across the whole Borough.

An Article 4 Direction was made in January 2016 to cover all properties in Jesse Terrace in Abbey Ward. This Direction also removes normal rights to convert a house (C3 use) into a small house in multiple occupation (C4 use). This means you will need planning permission to convert a house (C3) fronting onto Jesse Terrace to a small house in multiple occupation (C4) within the area shown on the Article 4 Map. The direction and a map of the area covered by the direction can be viewed here:

• Article 4 Direction – Jesse Terrace
• Jesse Terrace Article 4 map

Licensing of HMOs and Building Regulations are covered by separate legislation, and will need to be addressed separately.

Change of use or development that would result in new dwellings

On 10th November 2021, the Council made an Article 4 direction that will remove certain permitted development rights that would result in new dwellings. This direction was confirmed on 31st October 2022. The direction comes into force on 15th November 2022. As of that date, planning permission will be required for the specified forms of development within the area where the direction applies:

• Change of use of commercial, business and service use (use class E) to residential (Part 3 of the GPDO, class MA);
• Change of use of hot food takeaway, betting office, payday loan shop or launderette to residential (Part 3, class M);
• Change of use of casino or amusement arcade to residential (Part 3, class N);
• Demolition of single, purpose built, detached block of flats or a single, detached office, light industrial or research and development building and its replacement with a detached block of flats or detached house (Part 20, class ZA);
• Up to two additional residential storeys on a detached commercial or mixed use building (in use for retail, financial and professional, restaurant and café, office, research and development, light industrial, betting shop, payday loan shop, launderette) (Part 20, class AA); and
• Up to two additional residential storeys on a two or more storey terraced commercial or mixed use building (see class AA for uses) or one additional storey on a one storey building (Part 20, class AB).

This direction applies in the following areas (with some exceptions):

• The town centre as defined in the Local Plan;
• The district and local centres as defined in the Local Plan;
• Core employment areas as defined in the Local Plan;
• Other entirely commercial areas; and
• The areas of poorest air quality.

A copy of the direction is available to download. This includes the maps, but the boundary can also be seen using the interactive map linked from this page.

• Main text of direction and first schedule
• Second schedule maps 1-24
• Second schedule maps 25-53
• Final page of direction

Notice text for website

Article 4 Evidence Document September 2021

Statement of Consultation on Article 4 direction