Article 4 by council › Eastbourne
HMO Article 4 in Eastbourne
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Eastbourne? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
In parts. Eastbourne has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.
named areas: Devonshire, Meads and Upperton wards, plus a small area in the south of St Anthony's ward (both sides of Whitley Road and Seaside) Inside those areas a small HMO of 3 to 6 people needs full planning permission; outside them it is permitted development, subject to licensing. Check the exact address on the council's map or with the postcode checker below.
The council's planning policy consultation page says the Article 4 Direction 'will remove these permitted development rights for changes from a single private dwelling to a small HMO' in Devonshire, Meads and Upperton wards and a small part of St Anthony's ward. The main council pages (lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/HMO-Planning and the FAQ PDF) returned 403, so the in force date of 30 July 2025 comes only from press reports (Sussex Express, iHowz) and is not recorded above.
Check an exact postcode
A direction can cover part of a council, and the national dataset is incomplete. This asks the planning data service for the exact point and falls back to the council's own statement.
What an Article 4 direction means
HMO Article 4 directions remove the permitted-development right to convert a family home (C3) to a small HMO (C4, 3 to 6 people). Inside one, that conversion needs full planning permission. Councils may also run additional licensing (smaller HMOs) or selective licensing (all private rentals) in designated areas. Planning permission and licensing are separate: a licence does not grant planning permission, and permission does not remove the need for a licence.
Sources: Eastbourne council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.