Supporting evidence Article 4 direction

The National Planning Policy Framework requires local authorities when making Article 4 directions to do the following.

• When Article 4 directions relate to a change of use from non-residential use to residential use, to be limited to situations where an Article 4 direction is necessary to avoid wholly unacceptable adverse impacts. For example, this could include the loss of the essential core of a primary shopping area which would seriously undermine its vitality and viability. It would be very unlikely to extend to the whole of a town centre.
• In other cases, to be limited to situations where an Article 4 direction is necessary to protect local amenity or the well-being of the area.
• In all cases, be based on robust evidence, and apply to the smallest geographical area possible.

Supporting evidence relied on in the making of Article 4 directions for the removal of permitted developments, Class MA of the General Permitted Development Act 2015 (as amended), change of use from commercial, business and service uses to residential are listed below.