An Article 4 direction is a council order that removes specific permitted development rights, so work that would normally not need planning permission does. In Chelsea, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea uses Article 4 directions in conservation areas, street by street, to control changes such as windows, front doors, boundary walls and roof coverings. In Fulham, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has borough-wide directions since April 2018 that require planning permission for basement excavation and for changing offices or storage to homes, alongside older directions in some conservation areas. Always check your exact address.
Key takeaways
- Article 4 directions apply to defined areas or individual streets and properties.
- They most often affect the front of the house: windows, doors, roofs, walls and front gardens.
- In Hammersmith and Fulham, basement excavation needs planning permission everywhere in the borough.
- The council publishes which streets are covered. Check before ordering windows or designing a roof.
- Article 4 does not ban the work. It means the council decides through an application.
01What is an Article 4 direction?
National law grants “permitted development” rights for many small household changes. Under Article 4 of the planning rules, a council can withdraw some of those rights in a particular area, usually to protect the character of a conservation area. Once a direction applies, those changes need a planning application.
02Article 4 directions in Chelsea
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has extensive conservation areas, and publishes a table of Article 4 directions by street, including which house numbers are covered and which article applies. The council explains that the directions control small-scale changes to the outside of houses that could harm the area’s character, which can include:
- changing windows;
- changing front doors;
- removing or rebuilding boundary walls;
- changing roof coverings;
- other works, often on front elevations.
What this means in practice: on a covered Chelsea street, replacing timber sash windows, changing a front door, or altering the front wall needs planning permission, and the council will expect designs and materials that match the original character. See our Chelsea page.
03Article 4 directions in Fulham
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham has 44 conservation areas. Its Article 4 directions include:
- Borough-wide, since April 2018: planning permission is required for basement excavation, and for changing offices (B1) or storage (B8) buildings to homes.
- Older directions in some conservation areas, which protect the character of buildings. The council’s Urban Design and Conservation team can confirm what applies to a property.
What this means in practice: in Fulham, digging a basement under a house always needs planning permission. For windows, doors and roofs, check whether an older direction covers your street. See our Fulham page.
04Which work is most often affected?
| Work | Normally | Under a typical conservation area Article 4 direction |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing front windows | Permitted development if similar appearance | Planning permission needed |
| Replacing the front door | Permitted development if similar appearance | Planning permission needed |
| Re-roofing in a different material | Permitted development if similar appearance | Planning permission needed |
| Front rooflights | Often permitted development | Planning permission needed in many cases |
| Painting or rendering brickwork | Often permitted development | May need planning permission |
| Removing a front boundary wall | Often permitted development | Planning permission needed |
| Basement in Hammersmith and Fulham | Not applicable | Planning permission needed borough-wide |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
05How to check if your property is affected
- Search your address on the council’s conservation area map.
- Check the council’s list of Article 4 directions for your street and house number.
- Ask the council’s planning or conservation team if unsure.
- Ask your solicitor to check, if you are buying.
06How to get approval under an Article 4 direction
- Match the original. Timber sash windows with the right pattern and glazing bars, panelled timber doors, natural slate.
- Use high-quality drawings showing sections and details.
- Explain the approach in a short heritage statement.
- Consider pre-application advice for anything unusual.
Prohaus supplies and installs timber sash windows and works with professional architects and designers through our planning and design service. Read our timber sash windows guide and our conservation area guide.
07Does Article 4 affect rear extensions and lofts?
Article 4 directions in Chelsea and Fulham mainly target the front of buildings, but conservation area status already removes permitted development for side extensions, multi-storey rear extensions and roof enlargements. Most mansard and dormer loft conversions and side return extensions in these areas need planning permission anyway.
08Frequently asked questions
Can I replace my windows in a Chelsea conservation area?
If an Article 4 direction covers your house, you need planning permission, and matching timber windows are generally expected. If no direction applies, replacements of similar appearance may be permitted development.
Do I need planning permission for a basement in Fulham?
Yes. Hammersmith and Fulham’s borough-wide Article 4 direction from April 2018 requires planning permission for basement excavation.
Is there a fee for applications under Article 4?
Check with the council. Applications made only because an Article 4 direction removed permitted development rights have historically been treated differently for fees.
What if I already changed my windows without permission?
The council can take enforcement action. Speak to the council or a planning professional about the options.
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About Prohaus
Prohaus Ltd is a building company based in Kingston upon Thames, registered in 2015 and built on more than 20 years of residential building experience. We carry out extensions, loft conversions, renovations, new builds, kitchens and bathrooms, glazing, bespoke joinery and garden offices across Kingston, Surbiton, Richmond, Barnes, Putney, Fulham, Chelsea, Clapham and Wimbledon. Every project runs under a written contract with a 1-year guarantee.
Talk to us about a period home in Fulham or Chelsea
Send your address and photos of the front and rear of the house. We will check the conservation position and provide a written, itemised quotation.
