Following a consultation exercise in respect of the options available to the city council for the future management and control of houses in multiple occupation, the council has made an Article 4 direction, relating to houses in multiple occupation, for the whole of the City of Lincoln Council area.

The direction relates to development comprising the change of use from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1997, as amended; to a use falling within Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation) of that Order, and removes permitted development rights for this type of development

Planning permission will therefore be required for change of use from Class C3 to C4 from 1 March 2016, subject to the consideration of representations and confirmation by the city council.

A copy of the direction, including a map defining the area covered, can be downloaded in the downloads section below.

Representations may be made concerning the Article 4 direction between 27 February and 20 March 2015. If you wish to make representations you may do so by email to [email protected] or by post to Article 4 direction, City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN1 1DD.

Any representations must be made by 5pm on Friday 20 March 2015.

Existing Article 4 directions

There are four existing Article 4 directions that remove permitted development rights in certain parts of the city. These directions do not restrict otherwise permitted changes of use to houses in multiple occupation, but instead relate to physical alterations to buildings and cover specific addresses in the City Centre (1979), Monks Road (1981) and Swanpool (1979 and 1988).

Some of these areas are also within existing Conservation Areas, but designation of an Article 4 area does not in itself constitute a Conservation Area. Article 4 directions do not apply to Listed Buildings which have their own restrictions, and affect only single dwelling houses.

The list of properties affected can be downloaded in the downloads section below.

If your property is affected by an existing Article 4 direction, this means you are required to submit a planning application for work that normally does not require one.

It is important to remember, however, that other restrictions apply for Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments, and other consents may be required.

For more details contact the Technical Team or Development Management in Planning Services.

For any media enquiries please contact the communications team on 01522 873384 or [email protected]