National regulations allow some types of conversion from existing buildings, to residential development without the need for planning permission.
Where councils can demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds for concern that this may cause harm to local areas, planning regulations allow ‘Article 4 Directions’ which reintroduce the need for planning permission for such proposals.
The Council introduced two Article 4 Directions in 2020-21 for town centres (‘Class MA’) and employment sites (‘Class ZA’).
The Government closely monitors Article 4 Directions and in many cases has required councils to reduce their extent, so as not to restrict the supply of housing from such sites.
In Broxbourne’s case the Government has agreed that Article 4 Directions may be introduced, but has asked the Council to take a more ‘targeted’ approach.
As a result Directions have been modified and updated to reflect the new, smaller areas covered.
The modified Article 4 Directions for Class ZA and Class MA may be viewed here.