A Guide to Article 4 Directions

What is an Article 4 Direction and why does the Council use them?

Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission which allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application, even in conservation areas. These works are referred to as being 'permitted development'. Individually, many of these changes may appear fairly minor but added together they can have a significant effect on the character and appearance of an area.

An Article 4 Direction is made by the local planning authority to restrict the scope of permitted development rights in relation to a particular area or conservation area. When an Article 4 Direction is in place it should be noted that the Council is not seeking to prevent alterations from taking place but is aiming to ensure that any alterations respect the special character and appearance of your property and the area in general.

Which areas have Article 4 Directions?

Several areas in Chorley are subject to an Article 4 Direction which each direction restricting permitted development in different ways.

Areas covered include parts of Croston and Withnell Fold.

To check if your property is located within one of the Article 4 Direction areas please use the Council's MyMap

What is required under an Article 4 Direction?

Where an Article 4 Direction is in effect, a planning application may be required for development that would otherwise have been permitted development.

Croston

If your property is located in the Croston Article 4 Direction a planning application is required for the following types of development:

• the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse
• the enlargement of a dwellinghouse consisting of an addition or alteration to its roof
• any other alteration to the roof of a dwellinghouse
• the erection or construction of a porch outside any external door of a dwellinghouse
• the installation, alteraton or replacement of a satellite antenna on a dwellinghouse or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse

Please access the full Croston article 4 direction (PDF) [1MB] for more information.

Withnell Fold

If your property is located in the Withnell Fold Article 4 Direction a planning application is required for the following types of development:

• the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse
• the enlargement of a dwellinghouse consisting of an alteration to its roof
• any other alteration to the roof of a dwellinghouse
• the erection or construction of a porch outside any external door of a dwellinghouse
• the provision within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse of any building, enclosure, swimming or other pool, required for the purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse as such, or the maintenance, improvement or other alteration of a building or enclosure
• the provision within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse of a hard surface for any purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse as such
• the installation, alteration or replacement of a satellite antenna on a dwellinghouse or within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse
• the erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, wall or other means of enclosure
• the painting of the exterior of any building or work
• any building operation consisting of the demolition of the whole or any part of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure

Please access the full Withnell Fold Article 4 Direction (PDF) [3MB] for more information.