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 two 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

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 (PDF) [74KB] (opens new window)
• Article 4 direction - houses in multiple occupation (signed and sealed) (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)  (this file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology)
• Article 4 direction - houses in multiple occupation map (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)

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) (PDF) [80KB] (opens new window)
• Article 4 direction - Great Yarmouth (PDF) [294KB] (opens new window)
• Article 4 direction map (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)

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.