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Worksop Central Area and Retford Station Area HMO Article 4(1) Directions

Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, property owners are able to make a number of minor alterations to buildings through permitted development rights. This allows such work to be undertaken without planning permission.

This would normally include change of use of a dwelling in use class C3 to a house in multiple occupation for 3-6 people in use class C4. Introducing an Article 4 Direction would remove these permitted development rights.

The aims of the Article 4 Directions are to:

  1. Protect the housing mix and number of larger family sized properties in the affected area,
  2. Protect the residential amenity of residents living within a dwelling and within an HMO,
  3. Protect the character and historic architectural features within the affected area.

How are owners affected?

Owners will require Planning Permission for changing a dwelling to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for 3-6 people. This is also known as a small HMO. Failure to obtain Planning Permission for such alterations may result in enforcement action being taken by the Council. You can access the Planning application form here.

Planning Permission

  1. Protect the housing mix and number of larger properties in the affected area
  2. Protect the residential amenity of residents living within a dwelling and within a HMO
  3. Protect the character and historic architectural features the affected area

Worksop Central Area Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4 (1) Direction and Retford Station Area Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4 (1) Direction – Made 29 May 2026

Both Article 4 (1) Directions were approved by Planning Committee on the 20 May 2026 and was formally ‘made’ on the 29 May 2026. The Directions are now open for public consultation for 6 weeks starting on the 1 June 2026. The closing date for comments is 13 July 2026. Confirmation of the Direction cannot be before the end of this consultation period (13 July 2026) and must be within 2 years from the date this Direction is made (i.e. on or before 28 May 2028). The Direction is provided below:

Worksop Central Area Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4(1) Direction and Retford Station Area Houses in Multiple Occupation Article 4(1) Direction and map

Notices

Supporting Documents

Last Updated on Tuesday, June 9, 2026