Article 4 directions: check the right, not just the address
An Article 4 direction withdraws the national permission for the development it identifies in the area it covers. It does not necessarily remove every permitted development right. A direction dealing with changes of use should not be treated as an automatic ban on all householder alterations, or vice versa. [1]
The practical check is the direction and its accompanying map. Identify the property, the affected class or works, whether the direction is in force, and any limitations in its wording. A general search result saying that a borough “has Article 4” is not enough to answer those questions. [1][2]
For a London example, Westminster's own permitted-development guidance tells owners to check both local directions and conditions on previous permissions. That illustrates the type of local check required; it does not establish the position at an address in Westminster or any other borough. [3]
Planning conditions: read the old decision notices
A planning permission may contain a condition restricting later alterations or requiring a further application for specified work. Article 3 of the General Permitted Development Order does not permit development contrary to a condition imposed on another planning permission. [4]
Do not stop at the first or most recent entry in the planning history. Retrieve the decision notice relevant to the creation or alteration of the property, together with later decisions affecting the condition. Check what the condition actually restricts rather than assuming its age makes it irrelevant. [2][4]
An extension can comply with a national dimensional limit and still conflict with an operative condition. The physical design and the permission history are separate parts of the same lawfulness check. [4][5]
Conservation area does not mean “all rights removed”
Some national rights are already more restricted on designated land, including conservation areas. That is distinct from an Article 4 direction, which can impose an additional, specified withdrawal of rights. Do not use the two descriptions interchangeably. [2][5]
Equally, the absence of an Article 4 direction does not demonstrate that every project is permitted development. The class conditions, property eligibility and any restrictions in previous permissions still apply. [4]
What to do when a restriction applies
First, identify whether the proposed work falls within the restriction. If it does, establish the appropriate planning application route rather than submitting a certificate on the assumption that the direction can be ignored. A Lawful Development Certificate determines lawfulness; it does not grant an exception to an Article 4 direction or rewrite a planning condition. [6][4]
Keep the relevant direction, map and decision notices with the assessment. If a certificate was obtained some time before the intended start, re-check for material changes: the statutory protection for proposed development does not simply freeze the law indefinitely. [7]