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Site Alert: System Maintenance

Due to scheduled system maintenance, a number of our systems including Public Access (planning) and Modern Gov (Councillor, Committee and Meeting info), will be intermittently unavailable between 1pm and 6pm on Saturday 23rd September. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Article 4 Directions

An Article 4 Direction is a planning power for unlisted dwelling houses

It can apply to a single house or a larger area.

An Article 4 Direction is only used for areas or buildings with significant historic quality or character.

Article 4 Directions give greater control over planning alterations. This is because they can remove 'permitted development' rights. As a result, small extensions and alterations in a conservation area may need planning permission. Examples include:

  • erecting a porch
  • replacing doors or windows
  • painting the outside of a building

An Article 4 (2) Direction was approved in 2002 applying to dwelling houses in Wisbech and Bowthorpe conservation areas. This means that planning permission is needed for:

  • replacing a window (if fronting a highway, waterway or open space)
  • making the property bigger
  • changing a roof
  • erecting a porch
  • removing a stack
  • works relating to access, gates, fences and walls

New Article 4 Direction approval

On 22 March 2022, a new Article 4 Direction was approved for Land at How Fen, Rear of Meadow Farm, Horseway near Chatteris. This means that a grant of planning permission must be obtained for development of the type to which it applies. 

Following public consultation, the Article 4 Direction was approved at the Cabinet meeting on 5 September 2022. View meeting minutes.

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