Planning and constraints
Article 4 direction
A direction by a local planning authority withdrawing specified permitted development rights in an area, so work that is normally automatic needs a planning application.
Also called: Article 4, removal of permitted development rights, HMO Article 4.
Definition
Article 4 direction, as the data uses it
Permitted development rights let owners make certain changes without applying for permission. An Article 4 direction removes named rights in a named area. The common ones withdraw the right to convert a house into a small house in multiple occupation, to change a shop or office into a home, or to alter the front of houses in a conservation area.
For an investor an Article 4 area changes the arithmetic of a conversion; for a developer it changes the route to consent. MarketCode returns Article 4 directions in the planning designations check from planning.data.gov.uk, and the sourcing search accepts them as a filter, though some land constraints are accepted before they are enforced and the response names which.
Tools
Tools that return it
Planning designations at a location
planning_designations()Every planning designation affecting a location, in one call: conservation
Site appraisal dossier
site_appraisal()Everything known about ONE site, assembled and judged — the site dossier.
Search land or units by criteria
sourcing_search()Find land parcels or residential units matching investment criteria — the sourcing tool. Give a `location` (place or area name) or a `bbox`.
See also
Related terms
- Permitted development: Changes an owner may make without a planning application, granted nationally by the General Permitted Development Order, subject to limits and to local withdrawal by Article 4.
- Conservation area: An area a local planning authority has designated for its special architectural or historic character, where demolition and many external changes need consent.
- House in multiple occupation (HMO): A property let to three or more tenants from more than one household who share facilities; licensed by the council above five occupants and often restricted by Article 4.
FAQ
Questions about article 4 direction
What does Article 4 direction mean?
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A direction by a local planning authority withdrawing specified permitted development rights in an area, so work that is normally automatic needs a planning application.
Which MarketCode tools return article 4 direction?
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Planning designations at a location, Site appraisal dossier, Search land or units by criteria. Each runs as an MCP tool in Claude, ChatGPT, Codex and Cursor and as a REST endpoint with an API key, at the same price.
Is removal of permitted development rights the same thing?
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Yes. Article 4, removal of permitted development rights, HMO Article 4 are other names for what this entry defines; MarketCode uses "Article 4 direction" in its tool descriptions and responses.
See it on a real address.
Thirty minutes, your property or area, every figure sourced.