Article 4 Directions
These can be applied to protect particularly
significant or characteristic features particularly in Conservation
Areas.
What is an Article 4
Direction?
An Article 4 Direction is a special planning regulation that can
be adopted by the Local Planning Authority to provide additional
powers of planning control in a particular
location.
It operates by
removing "Permitted Development" rights over certain specified
classes of minor alterations and extensions, such as loss of
boundaries, porches, replacement of windows and doors and painting
of the exterior of a building. Usually these Directions
only relate to those part of a site or building facing onto a
street or public footpath or open space, but sometimes they can
cover alterations and extensions at the rear or developments such
as sheds in back gardens.
The effect of an Article 4 Direction is that
planning permission is required for these minor developments that
would otherwise not require an application for planning permission.
This enables the council to control these minor developments
so as to ensure that they accord with its policies to protect the
character of a Conservation Area or the visual amenities of other
areas and prevent developments that do not accord with those
policies.
Front boundaries
& Forecourts
The Borough Council is currently working with the Royal
Tunbridge Wells Civic Society and the Tunbridge Wells Town Forum to
identify if there is a role for serving Article 4 Directions in
part of the Tunbridge Wells Conservation Area. Particular
concerns relate to forecourt parking, and the loss of historic
boundaries.
The Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has created
guidance for landscaping your driveway:
Landscaping Your Driveway
Acrobat/PDF File 189 Kb
Further information on this subject can be accessed by following
the links provided below:
Permeable Surfaces
Guide
Planning Portal Guidance: fences,
walls, gates
Planning Portal Guidance: paving
front gardens