Article 4 Directions

Certain types of extensions to and changes of use of buildings do not require planning permission from the local planning authority. These types of development are called ’permitted development.’

The Planning Portal provides a useful summary of permitted development rights, the Use Classes Order and provides links to related legislation.

2017 Article 4 Direction (Storage and distribution uses to residential)

In September 2016, OPDC made an Article 4 Direction without immediate effect to remove permitted development rights for changes of use from offices (use class B1) and storage and distribution uses (use class B8) to residential (use class C3), across most of the Old Oak and Park Royal area.

Consultation on the Article 4 Direction took place in September and October 2016.

OPDC Board decided to confirm the Article 4 Direction on 12 September 2017 and it came into effect on 22 September 2017. From this date, changes of use from offices and storage and distribution uses to residential in the affected area require planning permission. However, for the purposes of the B1 office uses (now reclassified as Class E(g)(i) uses), please refer to the 2022 Article 4 Direction.

Commercial, Business and Service to residential

In June 2021, OPDC made an Article 4 Direction without immediate effect to remove permitted development rights for changes of use from Commercial, Business and Service (use class E) to residential (use class C3) within the Strategic Industrial Location (SIL).

Consultation on the Article 4 Direction took place in July 2021.

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

The Article 4 Directions cover significant parts of the OPDC area. They are designed to give OPDC more control over inappropriate changes of use that could compromise OPDC’s important industrial area and undermine the regeneration of Old Oak and Park Royal. For a map showing the affected area and further information on the 2017 Article Direction you can view:

• the notice of confirmation
• a copy of the Direction
• a map of the affected area

For a map showing the affected area and further information on the 2022 Article 4 Direction you can view:

• the notice of confirmation
• a copy of the Direction
• a map of the affected area
• letter sent to owners and occupiers – June 2022

Please contact the OPDC Planning team via email or call 020 7983 6520 if you require any further information or assistance.