Article 4 Directions
New Borough Wide Immediate Article 4 Direction - Houses in Multiple Occupation
Why has an immediate Article 4 Direction for HMOs been made?
Rossendale Borough Council Cabinet has agreed to the introduction of an Immediate Article 4 Direction for small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This means that converting a home into a small HMO across the whole of Rossendale will require planning permission (and will no longer be allowed under permitted development).
It was agreed to introduce an immediate Article 4 Direction, as there is a concern about being prejudicial to the proper planning, and constituting a threat to the amenities, of the local area. This is as a result of the recent increase in the number of HMOs over the past 4 years and evidence that clusters are beginning to form.
The change gives the Council greater oversight of HMO conversions. It will enable proposals to be monitored more effectively and assessed though the planning process, ensuring that detailed planning guidance and, as appropriate, planning conditions can be applied. This will help to make sure that accommodation meets appropriate housing standards, that the design and layout are suitable, and that developments are in keeping with their surroundings.
Where can the documents be seen?
The following documents can be viewed on the Council’s website and at the Customer Service Hub during opening times:
- Notice of Making an Immediate Article 4 Direction
- Article 4 Direction (to be uploaded)
- Plan of the area where the Article 4 Direction applies (to be uploaded)
Please see the FAQs for more information.
How can I comment on the immediate Article 4 Direction?
If you have any comments on the making of this Article 4 Direction, please fill in the short online survey below or send an email to forwardplanning@rossendalebc.gov.uk or write to Forward Planning Team, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup, OL13 0BB, Rossendale.
Make a comment on the immediate Article 4 Direction (HMOs)
This public consultation runs from Friday 19 September 2025 until 5pm on Friday 31 October 2025.
Next Steps
The comments received will inform the decision whether to confirm the Article 4 Direction within 6 months from the date it came into force. If not confirmed within 6 months, the Article 4 Direction will expire.
Other Article 4 Directions
In addition to normal Conservation Area restrictions, we may withdraw certain or all permitted development rights where there is perceived to be a threat to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. Such action is referred to as the making of an Article 4 Direction. There are currently 3 Conservation Areas within the Borough where Article 4 Directions have been authorised and where stringent requirements for any type of development will apply:
There are other Article 4 Directions which apply outside of Conservation Areas:
- Higher Tunstead, Stacksteads
- Land off Collinge Fold Lane, Rawtenstall
- Top O'Th Bank, Roundhill Lane, Haslingden
- Foxhill Farm, Shawclough, Waterfoot
These additional four Article 4 Directions have been retrieved as part of the Digital Planning Improvement Project and published on the Council's website as of 14 June 2024. They might be open to challenge, although no evidence were found which suggest that these Directions have been cancelled since made. The Council is not minded to enforce any works undertaken under permitted development rights which have been removed from these four additional Article 4 Directions between the date they were made and the date of publication on the website (14 June 2024).
Download the Article 4 Direction datasets here
This data is provided by Rossendale Borough Council under the Open Government Licence.