Article 4 directions

Current planning legislation allows property owners to make alterations to their property without planning permission. This is called permitted development. An article 4 direction removes this right, so that certain types of alterations will require planning permission. For example, householders can normally make minor alterations to their houses without requiring planning permission. However, in some areas, the Borough Council has removed these 'permitted development' rights by making an article 4 direction. 

There are currently 11 article 4 directions in place in the borough. More information on each article 4 direction can be found on the following pages: 

•  Article 4 direction: houses in multiple occupation
•  Article 4 direction: Great Yarmouth
• Article 4 direction: The Marrams Sandhills, Winterton & Hemsby
• Article 4 direction: Hemsby
• Article 4 direction: Mautby, Runham and Stokesby
• Article 4 direction: Horsey, Winterton and Sea Palling
• Article 4 direction: Fleggburgh
• Article 4 direction: The Gap, Hemsby
• Article 4 direction: Winterton and Hemsby
• Article 4 direction: Land at Burgh Castle
• Article 4 direction: Land to the rear of 1 May Cottages, Winterton

Please note all applications for planning permission are considered on their merits with no guarantee of approval. 

The direction removes permitted development rights for development consisting of a change of the use of a building to a use falling within Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation) from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses). Planning permission is therefore required for a change of use of this nature.

The direction came into force on 24 September 2012 and applies to the whole of the Borough, with the exception of the Broads Authority executive area.

Please see the following to view a copy of the direction, including the area that it covers: 

• Article 4 direction - houses in multiple occupation
• Article 4 direction - houses in multiple occupation (this file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology)
• Article 4 direction - houses in multiple occupation map

Alternatively, the location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The Borough Council has confirmed an article 4 direction which will help prevent development that may undermine the local historic amenity and character within the centre of Great Yarmouth (unless planning permission is granted by the Council), by removing certain permitted development rights. These rights relate to:

• installation and replacements of new doors and windows, alterations to roofs, and construction of new front porches on dwelling houses
• erection, construction, maintenance, improvement, alteration, demolition or removal of any parts of gates, fences, walls and other forms of enclosure
• the painting of the exterior of any building or work where it has been previously unpainted and where this fronts the highway

The direction was brought into force on 11 April 2022 and applies to the following conservation areas within Great Yarmouth:

• King Street
• Great Yarmouth Market Place, Rows and North Quay
• parts of St Nicholas and Northgate Street

Please see below the article 4 direction and the associated map that defines the area to which the direction relates:

• Article 4 direction - Great Yarmouth (suitable for users of assistive technology)
• Article 4 direction - Great Yarmouth
• Article 4 direction map
• Alternatively, the location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The article 4 direction was subject to a three-week public consultation that took place between Monday 14 February and Tuesday 08 March 2022. All comments received were taken into account when deciding whether to confirm the direction. A summary of the consultation responses can be found in the Development Control Committee report 30 March 2022 (opens new window). The Council was satisfied that no issues were raised through the consultation process that would have prevented the direction being brought into force on 11 April 2022. 

The direction came into force on 1 August 1958 and applies to the area known as the 'Marram Sandhills' in Hemsby and Winterton-on-Sea.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1950) shall not apply on the said land for development specified in Class I of the First Schedule of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1950, namely:

1. The enlargement, improvement or other alternation of a dwellinghouse so long as the cubic content of the original dwelling house (as ascertained by external measurement) is not exceeded by more than 1,750 cubic feet or one-tenth whichever is the greater, subject to a maximum of 4,000 cubic feet; provided that the erection of a garage, stable, loosebox, or coach house within the curtilage of the dwelling house shall be treated as the enlargement of the dwellinghouse for the purpose of this permission;

2. The erection, construction or placing, and the maintenance, improvement or other alteration, within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, or any building or enclosure (other than a dwelling, garage, stable, loosebox or coach house) required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house as such, including the keeping of poultry, bees, pet animals, birds or other livestock for the domestic needs or personal enjoyment of the occupants of the dwellinghouse.

The direction came into force on 31 October 1958 and applies to land south of Beach Road, Hemsby.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1950) shall not apply to the use of the said land for:

1. The purpose of accommodation travelling shows and the for the purpose of camping and the erection or placing thereon of moveable structures for the purposes of such uses and the use of said land, other than buildings and not within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse for the purpose of recreation or instruction by members of an organisation which holds a certificate of exemption granted by the Minster of Health under Section 269 of the Public Health Act, 1936, and;

2. The erection of tents or caravans on the said land for the purposes of that use, being development that comprises respectively in paragraph 2 of Class IV and V of Part 1 of the First Schedule of the said Order, and not being development of any other class of Part 1 of the said Order.

The direction came into force on 23 March 1962 and applies to specific areas within the areas of Mautby, Runham and Stokesby.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1950) shall not apply to the use of the said land for:

1. The purpose of accommodation travelling shows and the for the purpose of camping and the erection or placing thereon of moveable structures for the purposes of such uses and the use of said land, other than buildings and not within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse for the purpose of recreation or instruction by members of an organisation which holds a certificate of exemption granted by the Minster of Health under Section 269 of the Public Health Act, 1936, and;

2. The erection of tents or caravans on the said land for the purposes of that use, being development that comprises respectively in paragraph 2 of Class IV and V of Part 1 of the First Schedule of the said Order, and not being development of any other class of Part 1 of the said Order.

The direction came into force on 24 August 1964 and applies to an area of Winterton-on-Sea. The direction also applies to areas within Sea Palling and Horsey which lie outside of the borough of Great Yarmouth.  

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1963) shall not apply to the use of the said land of the descriptions set out below:

1. The use of the land for the purposes of camping and the erection or placing thereon of moveable structures for the purposes of such use;

2. The use of the land, other than buildings and not within the curtilage of a dwelling house for the purposes of recreation or instruction by members of an organisation which holds a certificate of exemption granted by the Minister of Housing & Local Government under Section 269 of the Public Health, and the erection or placing of tents on the land for the purposes of that use;

3. The use of the land, other than a building, as a caravan site in any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs 2-9 (inclusive) of Schedule 1 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, or in the circumstances (other than those relating to winter quarters) specified in paragraph 10 of the said Schedule.

4. Being development comprised respectively in paragraph 2 of Class IV, Class V and Class XXII of Part I referred to in the First Schedule of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1963) and not being development comprised within any other.

The direction came into force on 6 March 1970 and applies to a specific area of Fleggburgh.   

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1963) shall not apply to the use of the said land of the descriptions set out below:

1.   The use of the land for the purposes of camping and the erection or placing thereon of moveable structures for the purposes of such use;

2. The use of the land, other than buildings and not within the curtilage of a dwelling house for the purposes of recreation or instruction by members of an organisation which holds a certificate of exemption granted by the Minister of Housing & Local Government under Section 269 of the Public Health, and the erection or placing of tents on the land for the purposes of that use;

3. The use of the land, other than a building, as a caravan site in any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs 2-9 (inclusive) of Schedule 1 of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, or in the circumstances (other than those relating to winter quarters) specified in paragraph 10 of the said Schedule;

4. Being development comprised respectively in paragraph 2 of Class IV, Class V and Class XXII of Part I referred to in the First Schedule of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1963) and not being development comprised within any other.

The direction came into force on 6 March 1970 and applies to the area known as 'The Gap, Hemsby'.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1963) shall not apply to the use of the said land of the descriptions set out below:

1. The use of land on not more than 28 days in total in any calendar year for the purposes of public amusement or entertainment or for camping or other holiday accommodation or the sale of goods, including beach requisites, food stuffs and refreshments; and the erection or placing of movable structures on the land for the purposes of that use. Being development comprised within paragraph 2 of Class IV of Part 1 referred to in the First Schedule to the said Order and not being development comprised within any other class.

The direction came into force on 14 April 1978 and applies to a specific area within Winterton and Hemsby.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1973) for development of the description specified in Classes IV(2) and XXII of the First Schedule of the Order (temporary buildings and uses and use as a caravan site) shall not apply to any development of those classes within the specified area.

The direction came into force on 25 March 1980 and applies to a specific area of Burgh Castle.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1977) shall not apply to development on the said land of the description set out below:

1. The use of the land on not more than 14 days in total in any calendar year for the purpose of the holding of markets and the erection or placing of moveable structures on the said land for the purpose of that use;

2. All of the above being development comprised within paragraph 2 of Class IV of Schedule 1 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977 and not being development within any other class.

The direction came into force on 25 March 1980 and applies to land to the rear of 1 May Cottages, Winterton.

The location of the Article 4 direction and where it applies can be viewed using the Article 4 direction interactive map.

The direction states that planning permission granted by Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order (1988) (as amended) shall not apply to development specified in the First Schedule to this Direction (namely):

1. The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence or other means of enclosure being development comprised within Class A referred to in Schedule 2 of the said Order and not being development within any other Part or Class

In the area specified in the Second Schedule to this Direction (namely):

2. Land to the rear of 1 May Cottages, Back Road, Winterton, Great Yarmouth.