Article 4 Direction – Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
Chorley Council resolved on 23rd September 2025 to introduce an immediate Article 4 direction to remove the permitted development rights to materially convert dwellinghouses into small HMOs. Further information can be found here: Chorley Council approved the making of an immediate Article 4 Direction
A public consultation on the immediate Article 4 direction followed this resolution from 24th September 2025 to 16th October 2025. The representations to this public consultation were assessed and addressed by the Council, and it was therefore deemed appropriate for the Council to progress with the confirmation process.
The immediate Article 4 Direction was confirmed by an Executive Member’s decision on 24th February 2026, following a recommendation from Council on 27th January 2026.
The introduction of an Article 4 direction allows for better regulation and monitoring of HMOs, as HMOs will be identified for mandatory licensing and routine monitoring, and conditions can be attached to planning permissions. It will also improve the Council’s ability to ensure the management standards of HMOs are maintained.
An Article 4 direction is not an automatic ban on new HMOs. The Article 4 direction does not prevent the conversion of dwellings to HMOs, as planning permission may still be granted for such conversions, where they are appropriate, and can still provide a valuable role in meeting housing needs.
Without an Article 4 direction, any future policy in the Central Lancashire Local Plan or a future Supplementary Planning Document or equivalent, which has a policy on conversion of dwelling houses to HMOs would not apply to conversions for six or fewer residents as these would have permitted development rights.
Further information
Below is a list of documents related to the HMO Immediate Article 4 Direction:
Signed Article 4 Direction and Map – made 04 March 2026
Notice of Article 4 Direction – published 04 March 2026
Supporting evidence for making Immediate Article 4 Direction