Article 4 Directions

The following Article 4 Directions are in operation in West Northamptonshire.

Following a decision of Council on 3 December 2020 the Council confirmed a non-immediate Article 4(1) Direction which applies to:

The effect of the Article 4(1) Direction is to remove permitted development rights in respect of "Development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling with Class B1(a) offices of the Schedule of the Use Classes Order to a use falling within Class C3 (dwelling houses) of that Schedule."

The Direction came into force on 26 February 2021.

Conservation Areas

Yew Tree Cottage, 21 Yew Tree Lane and Dale House, 19 Yew Tree Lane Spratton, Northamptonshire, NN6 8HL

On 26 September 2016 Daventry District Council made an Article 4 Direction in respect of the above properties in Yew Tree Lane, Spratton. The Direction was made in response to the threat of demolition of a house, Yew Tree Cottage, which is considered by the Council to make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of this part of the village.

The Direction also applies to the stone boundary walls at the site frontage of Yew Tree Cottage and the adjoining property. These provide a strong sense of enclosure and definition along Yew Tree Lane, and are typical of the character of such features within the village of Spratton. 

This Article 4 Direction was confirmed on 28th July 2017.

Please note that following a planning application (DA/2017/0407) Yew Tree Cottage was demolished. The Article 4 Direction will be updated in due course. 

Boughton Rise Development

Article 4 Direction for the Boughton Rise Development, also known as the Janla Estate, Boughton, removing permitted development rights for change of use from dwelling houses to houses in multiple occupation

Other areas

Houses of Multiple Occupation in Northampton

In combination, the following Article 4 Directions take away the permitted development right to turn a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) into a small house in multiple occupation (Use Class C4) across the whole of the former Northampton borough.

Those who own properties in the affected areas will need to apply for planning permission if they wish to convert their properties from dwellinghouses (Class C3) to houses in multiple occupation (Class C4).

Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction in Far Cotton and Delapre (Northampton)

The former Northampton Borough Council made and confirmed a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction for parts of Far Cotton/Delapre. 

The Direction was made on 29 June 2017 and confirmed on 20 February 2018.  It came into effect on 29 September 2018.

Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction in Cliftonville (Northampton)

The former Northampton Borough Council made and confirmed a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction for parts of Cliftonville. 

The Direction was made on 29 June 2017 and confirmed on 20 February 2018. It came into effect on 29 September 2018.

Immediate Article 4 Direction in parts of Far Cotton and Delapre (Northampton)

The former Northampton Borough Council issued an immediate Article 4 Direction for parts of Far Cotton and Delapre.

The Direction was confirmed on 7 July 2017.

Sunnyside and adjacent areas (Northampton)

In March 2011 an Immediate Article 4(1) Direction was imposed on an area contained within the wards of Sunnyside, St David's and Obelisk.

Northampton North and Central (Northampton)

On 14 March 2012, a Non-immediate Article 4(1) Direction was imposed on an area contained within the wards of Castle, Abington, Trinity, Phippsville, Semilong, Kingsley, Kingsthorpe, St David's, Sunnyside, Spring Park, Obelisk and Delapre and Briar Hill.

Remaining areas of Northampton

On 4 March 2020, the former Northampton Borough Council Cabinet agreed a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction for houses in multiple occupation. This was for areas of Northampton not previously covered by such a direction. The Direction came into force on 13 November 2020.