Article 4 Directions in Westminster
We have made a number of Article 4 Directions which remove permitted development rights for some types of development in some parts of Westminster. These are listed below.
Use the Article 4 Directions interactive map to search a property address and find information about our Article 4 Directions.
Article 4 Direction Class E (commercial, business, and service) to C3 (dwelling houses) in the Central Activities Zone (CAZ)
We have removed permitted development rights for changes of use from Class E (commercial, business and service uses) to C3 (dwelling houses) in specified parts Westminster’s Central Activities Zone. This means that planning permission is required for the conversion of any Class E floorspace to residential in the areas covered by the Direction.
The Article 4 Direction was ‘made’ on 14 July 2021 and then modified by the Secretary of State on 22 July 2022 to cover a smaller area than originally planned. It is effective immediately.
A copy of the letter from received from the Secretary of State, and the modified Article 4 Direction including a map of the area to which it relates, can be viewed below. This letter is dated 27 July 2022 as when the modified Direction was initially issued on 22 July 2022 there was an inconsistency between what was included on the map and how these areas were described in the accompanying text. This issue has now been rectified in the letter below, which updates the descriptive text to properly reflect the areas shown on the map. For the avoidance of doubt, the Direction was brought into force on 22 July 2022 when the initial modification notice was received, and no changes to the boundary have been made between the 22 July 2022 and 27 July 2022.
The Modified Direction is also available to view at the offices of the Council at 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP during normal office hours and at Charing Cross, Marylebone, Mayfair, Pimlico and Victoria libraries during normal opening hours.
Article 4 Direction Class E (commercial, business, and service) to C3 (dwelling houses) outside of the Central Activities Zone (CAZ)
In addition to our Article 4 Direction for the CAZ (see above), we have also now removed permitted development rights for changes of use from Class E (commercial, business and service uses) to C3 (dwelling houses) in specified parts Westminster’s town centre hierarchy that fall outside of the Central Activities Zone. This means that planning permission is required for the conversion of any Class E floorspace to residential in the areas covered by the Direction.
The Article 4 Direction was ‘made’ on 3 December 2021 and then ‘confirmed’ on 5 December 2022.
A copy of the Direction, and its accompanying Public Notice can be viewed below, and at our offices at 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP during normal office hours.
More detailed boundaries of the areas covered can also be viewed below
Basement Development
We removed permitted development rights for basement development throughout the city. The Direction was confirmed on 4 July 2016, and the came into force on 31 July 2016.
Minor alterations in certain conservation areas
We removed permitted development rights in eight conservation areas. In these areas planning permission is required for the specified minor alterations to ensure such alterations conserve the character and appearance of these areas. Details are listed below:
