Article 4 Directions

In 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 in a number of areas of commercial activity across Reading. This came into force on 15 November 2022, but was formally modified by the Secretary of State on 10 October 2023. 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 10 November 2021, the council made an Article 4 direction that will remove certain permitted development rights that would result in new dwellings. This direction came into force on 15 November 2022. As of that date, planning permission was 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).

The direction was modified by the Secretary of State on 10 October 2023. This reduced the geographical area covered, and resulted in different rights from the above list being removed in different areas.

A copy of the direction and the modification notice are available to download. The two need to be read together. Only the maps from the modified direction are available to avoid confusion. The boundaries can also be seen using the interactive map linked from this page. 

• Main text of original direction and first schedule
• Final page of original direction
• Modification notice from the Secretary of State 10 October 2023
• Maps attached to modification notice from the Secretary of State 10 October 2023

Article 4 Evidence Document September 2021

Statement of Consultation on Article 4 direction