Removal of permitted development rights for the change of use from Use Class C3 (dwelling-houses) to C4 (HMOs)
Further Article 4 Direction: September 2026
As part of a long term Burnley Council strategy to manage HMOs in the borough, which has included the adoption of the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Small Flats Supplementary Planning Document in 2022 and an Article 4 Direction coming into force in 9 wards within the borough in 2024, alongside additional controls in selective licensing areas, a report to its executive recommended removing what are known as permitted development rights which currently allow a single dwelling house to be changed into a small HMO without planning permission in the following wards:.
- Briecliffe;
- Cliviger with Worsthorne;
- Coalclough with Deerplay;
- Hapton with Park;
- Lanehead; and
- Whittlefield with Ightenhill
In accordance with the requirements of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, the Council confirms that it ‘made’ the direction on the 25th September 2026 and is undertaking consultation on the proposed direction for 6 weeks between Friday 25th September and 5pm Friday 6th November 2026.
Viewing the Article 4
Full information, including the notice of direction, the direction itself and accompanying plan showing the proposed area covered by the direction, along with the evidence paper providing the justification for introducing the direction, can be found below.
In addition, copies of the information will be made available at the Council’s Contact Burnley Offices and Burnley and Padiham Libraries during their opening hours.
Commenting on the Article 4
The Council is inviting comments on the Article 4 Direction. Any comments must be in writing and should be received by the Council no later than 5pm on 6th November 2026 in order make sure they can be taken into consideration.
The Council’s preferred method for receiving consultation responses is via e-mail to localplan@burnley.gov.uk Alternatively, you can submit your comments by post to: Burnley Borough Council, Economy and Growth, Town Hall, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 9SA.
Please note that your comments cannot be treated as confidential and can be inspected on request and may be published on the Council’s website. Your signature, phone number and email address will not be disclosed or published.
Next Steps
All comments received will be considered and reported to the Executive in considering whether to confirm the direction. If confirmed, it is anticipated that the direction will take effect from 27th September 2027.
Original Article 4 Direction: October 2023
Following confirmation in April 2024 the Article 4 Direction came into effect on the 14th October 2024. The ‘non-immediate’ Article 4 Direction removes permitted development rights for the change of use from Use Class C3 (dwellinghouses) to C4 (Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)) in the following wards within the borough.
- Bank Hall ward;
- Brunshaw ward;
- Daneshouse with Stoneyholme ward;
- Gannow ward;
- Gawthorpe ward;
- Queensgate ward;
- Rosehill with Burnley Wood ward;
- Rosegrove with Lowerhouse; and
- Trinity ward
In accordance with the requirements of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, the Council confirms that it ‘made’ the direction on the 13th October 2023 and undertook consultation on the proposed direction for 6 weeks between Friday 13th October and 5pm Friday 24th November 2023.
The Council considered the consultation comments received at the meeting of the Executive on the 4th April 2024.
Following Executive approval, the Article 4 direction was confirmed on the 19th June 2024
Viewing the Article 4
Full information, including the notice of confirmation of the direction, the direction itself and accompanying plan showing the proposed area covered by the direction and the Article 4 Background document can be found below.
In addition, copies of the information will be made available at the Council’s Contact Burnley Offices and Burnley and Padiham Libraries during their opening hours.
