Free · England · Official data
Does an Article 4
direction apply here?
An Article 4 direction removes some permitted development rights in a defined area. Search a postcode to see if one covers the spot, alongside any conservation area.
FreeNo accountTry GL20 5AB
Example result · GL20 5AB
Inside the Tewkesbury conservation area
Tewkesbury Borough Council
- Applies
Article 4 direction
- 50+
Listed buildings within 250 m
- Low
Flood zone at the pin
What an Article 4 direction does
Permitted development rights let you make some changes without a planning application. An Article 4 direction, made by the council, removes some of those rights in a defined area. Depending on the direction, that can cover replacement windows and doors, porches, painting the front of a house, removing front walls or converting a house into a small house in multiple occupation.
Article 4 and conservation areas
Many Article 4 directions sit inside conservation areas, where councils want to protect details like original windows. Others cover wider areas, for example to control conversions into shared houses. The checker shows both layers on one map so you can see which applies.
Read the direction itself
Each direction lists exactly which rights it removes. Once the check shows a direction at your address, look it up on your council's website before you plan work.
Questions
Do I need to pay for planning permission under Article 4?
Planning applications that are only needed because an Article 4 direction removed permitted development rights are usually free of charge. Check with your council for the exact fee.
How complete is the Article 4 data?
The national dataset holds thousands of Article 4 records, but not every council has published theirs yet. A blank result is a good sign, not a guarantee.
Does Article 4 apply to flats?
Flats do not have most householder permitted development rights to begin with, so most work to flats already needs permission.