Updated April 2026Built from national planning rules and local authority contextUse formal checks if the proposal is close to a limit or affected by special controls
Planning topic hub

Article 4 Restrictions

Use this hub when the real question is whether an Article 4 direction removes permitted development rights and changes the route entirely.

Choose the project type first

Project Types People Usually Pair With This Topic

Project hub

Agricultural Building

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for agricultural building projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Annexe

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for annexe projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Basement Conversion

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for basement conversion projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Change of Use

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for change of use projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Demolition

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for demolition projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Dormer Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for dormer extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Driveway

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for driveway projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Dropped Kerb

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for dropped kerb projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Fences and Walls

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for fences and walls projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Garage Conversion

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for garage conversion projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Garage

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for garage projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Garden Room

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for garden room projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Hard Surfacing

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for hard surfacing projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Heat Pump

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for heat pump projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

HMO

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for hmo projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

House Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for house extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Loft Conversion

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for loft conversion projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Outbuildings

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for outbuildings projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Porch

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for porch projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Rear Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for rear extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Rooflight

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for rooflight projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Side Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for side extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Single Storey Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for single storey extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Solar Panels

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for solar panels projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Temporary Building

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for temporary building projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Two Storey Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for two storey extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Windows and Doors

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for windows and doors projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Project hub

Wraparound Extension

Browse guidance on article 4 restrictions for wraparound extension projects, then move into the local pages if needed.

Open project hub
Answer-first explanation

What This Topic Usually Changes

What usually applies

This topic usually decides whether the shortcut route still exists at all once local policy is checked properly.

What often complicates it

Local designations, site history, measured drawings and the exact project shape often matter more than people expect once this topic is in play.

Best next step

Open the matching project type first, then use the local example pages to see where this topic actually changes the route in practice.

Common use cases

Where Article 4 Restrictions Usually Shows Up

See it locally

Example Local Rule Pages

Local guide

Agricultural Building in Bedford

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in Central Bedfordshire

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in Luton

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in Bracknell Forest

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in Reading

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in Slough

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in West Berkshire

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Local guide

Agricultural Building in Windsor and Maidenhead

Open the main local guide, then use the tool and local planning context to see how article 4 restrictions may change the answer on the ground.

Open local guide
Method and legal context

Article 4 Restrictions In The Wider Planning Picture

This topic is shaped by national planning legislation, permitted development rights and local authority interpretation where protected areas or policy constraints apply.

Checking both the national baseline and the local council context gives a more reliable view of whether a project can proceed as planned.

Trust and caveats

How To Use A Topic Hub Properly

Topic hubs exist to isolate the one planning issue that is blocking progress. They are most useful when paired with the matching project guide and the relevant local authority page.

Updated April 2026