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PlanningLens: Article 4 directions widen beyond party lines
PlanningLens says 62 HMO-related Article 4 directions now cover 32 English councils, with local planning pressure outweighing party control.
HMO planning
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1st Avenue: HMO planning refusals doubled as Article 4 spread
1st Avenue says HMO planning refusals across 144 English councils rose from 590 in 2021 to 1,203 in 2025 as Article 4 directions spread and approval rates slipped for landlords trying to add shared housing.
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Burnley Council moves to borough-wide HMO planning controls
Burnley Council is consulting on plans to extend Article 4 planning controls to six more wards, a move that would bring the whole borough under tighter small-HMO planning rules from September 2027 if approved.
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Gedling opens Netherfield Article 4 consultation until 21 August
Gedling Borough Council has opened a Netherfield Article 4 consultation until 21 August, giving landlords early notice of a planning rule that could catch new small HMO conversions.
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Harrow confirms borough-wide HMO planning permission rule from 24 June
Harrow Council says landlords now need planning permission for all new small HMOs across the borough from 24 June, removing permitted development rights for one of London’s main shared-housing formats.
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Warrington moves to extend HMO planning controls across borough
Warrington Borough Council is moving to extend HMO planning controls across the whole borough, in a step that would force landlords to seek permission before…
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County Durham extends HMO planning controls across entire borough
County Durham is set to extend Article 4 directions across its entire borough, requiring landlords to seek planning permission before converting properties into houses in…
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North Lincolnshire and South Ribble introduce HMO planning controls
North Lincolnshire and South Ribble have become the latest councils to introduce Article 4 Directions, removing permitted development rights for small HMO conversions and requiring…
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Telford confirms HMO planning controls despite just 200 consultation responses
Telford & Wrekin Council has confirmed an Article 4 Direction that will require planning permission for all new houses in multiple occupation from February 2027,…
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Sefton extends HMO planning controls borough-wide
Sefton Council has become the latest local authority to tighten controls on houses in multiple occupation, approving an Article 4 Direction that removes permitted development…