Article 4 Directions
Recent changes in planning rules mean that a range of commercial premises could be converted to houses or flats without the need for planning permission.
We consider that these changes could potentially have a negative impact on the vitality and viability of Hemel Hempstead town centre, by impacting its ability to retain and attract businesses and jobs, as well as impacting the level of services available locally for Dacorum’s residents, workers and visitors.
Consequently, we have made an Article 4 Direction covering parts of Hemel Hempstead town centre that will require any changes of use to residential to require planning permission. This Direction came into force on Thursday 29 July 2021.
Hemel Hempstead Town Centre
An Article 4 Direction is now in place across parts of Hemel Hempstead town centre. A consultation was held in August 2021. The Direction has now been confirmed by the Council and remains in effect until it is modified or cancelled.
Documents
Employment areas
In January 2019, we proposed to reintroduce the need for planning permission in key employment areas for the changes of use from office, light industrial or warehouse use to houses or flats by designating the following locations as Article 4 areas.
- Maylands Business Park
- Doolittle Meadows, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead
- Whiteleaf Road, Hemel Hempstead
- Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead
- Bourne End Mills, Bourne End
- Northbridge Road and River Park, Berkhamsted
- Icknield Way, Tring.
We carried out a consultation on the proposal, which ended on 18 February 2019. Following consideration of the responses received, those locations were confirmed as Article 4 areas on 25 June 2019 and they came into force on 7 January 2020.
Direction documents
Maps
Public notices
