On 28/01/2026, South Ribble Council approved the introduction of an Article 4 Direction to remove the permitted development rights for the change of the use from a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to a use falling within Class C4 (Houses in Multiple Occupation) across the borough of South Ribble.
The introduction of an Article 4 direction will allow 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 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.
Consultation
An immediate Article 4 Direction must be confirmed within 6 months of it being made, otherwise it will expire and no longer have effect.
A consultation period will take place between 06 March 2026 and 29/03/2026. Should you have any comments, please email planning.policy@southribble.gov.uk.
Next Steps
Once the consultation has concluded the responses will be analysed and considered.
Within 6 months from the Article 4 Direction having been made the Council will seek to confirm the direction in order for it to continue to have effect.
Further information
Below is a list of documents related to the HMO Immediate Article 4 Direction:
Notice of Immediate Article 4 Direction – published 06/03/2026
Map of Article 4 Direction boundary