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.
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.
Street | Numbers | Reason |
---|---|---|
Basingstoke Road (St Leonard’s Terrace) | 2-16 (even numbers) | Grey patterned brickwork |
Brisbane Road | 3-27 (odd numbers) | Grey patterned brickwork |
Field Road | 3-49 (odd numbers) | Patterned brickwork, architectural features |
Jesse Terrace | 1-35 (all numbers) | Architectural features |
Junction Road | 23-31 (odd numbers) | Patterned brickwork, architectural features, original railings / gates |
Katesgrove Lane | 84-92 (even numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
Polstead Road | 1-33 (odd numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
Prince of Wales Avenue | 48-54 (even numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
Rectory Road | 8-32 (even numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
Rectory Road | 1-17 (odd numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
River Road | 1-7 (all numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
School Terrace | 1-31 (all numbers) | Decorative brickwork |
Shaftesbury Road | 73-103 (odd numbers) | Patterned brickwork and terracotta details |
Wantage Road | 4-34 (even numbers) | Patterned brickwork |
Wokingham Road | 1-19 (odd numbers) | Grey patterned brickwork |
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
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:
Licensing of HMOs and Building Regulations are covered by separate legislation, and will need to be addressed separately.
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:
This direction applies in the following areas (with some exceptions):
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.