Article 4 by council › West Lancashire
HMO Article 4 in West Lancashire
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in West Lancashire? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
In parts. West Lancashire has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.
named areas: Ormskirk, parts of Aughton and Westhead In force since December 2011. 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.
Council page: in December 2011 the council introduced an Article 4 direction so planning permission is needed to change from a dwelling to an HMO in Ormskirk, parts of Aughton and Westhead, working with Local Plan policy RS3 (about 5% HMO cap per street). The page links the direction with map (PDF). A separate 2006 direction covers Chapel Lane, Parbold (not HMO).
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: West Lancashire council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.