Issue - meetings

Recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 24 June 2021 on the Article 4 Direction – Employment Sites.

Cabinet agreed the confirmation of the Article 4 Direction covering the most important employment sites in the Borough, to start on 1 February 2022.

Recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 24 June 2021 on the Article 4 Direction – Employment Sites.

(1)       The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

Cabinet agreed the confirmation of the Article 4 Direction covering the most important employment sites in the Borough, to start on 1 February 2022.

(2)       Reasons for the Decision

In recent years there had been an expansion of permitted development rights whereby certain types of development no longer require planning permission. If they feel that there are significant adverse impacts as a result of these, local planning authorities can put in place Article 4 directions removing permitted development rights in identified areas.

One impact in Welwyn Hatfield had been loss of employment space arising from the permitted development right which enabled buildings in employment use to be converted to residential use.

An Article 4 Direction to remove this right on our largest employment sites came into force in October 2020.

In response to new permitted development rights enabling the demolition of buildings in employment use (introduced in August 2020), a new article 4 was made and consulted on in February and March this year.

The consultation attracted 11 responses, mainly from residents but also from the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and a Parish Council.