This could affect the economic growth of East Hampshire, particularly if businesses are forced to locate elsewhere.
As planning authority for those parts of the district outside of the South Downs National Park, the council exercised its power to make an article 4(1) direction on 31 January 2018, under article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
The direction applies to specific business areas in East Hampshire, outside of the South Downs National Park.
The direction removes permitted development rights for the change of use of land or buildings from office, light industry, or storage and distribution use to residential use.
It came into force on 31 March 2019. Planning permission is required for the aforementioned changes of use on the areas affected by the article 4(1) direction.
The direction, supporting evidence and maps of the affected areas can be accessed as follows:
- Proposed article 4 direction (pdf 411 kb)
- Maps of areas affected by proposed article 4 direction (pdf 3 mb)
- Employment background paper (pdf 3.9 mb)
The direction was consulted on over an eight week period, from 2 February 2018 to 30 March 2018, and responses were considered by the council’s Development Policy and Affordable Housing Panel on 18 April 2018.
No changes were made to the direction, which was subsequently confirmed on 14 June 2018 by the Head of Planning, in consultation with the council’s portfolio holders for Planning and for Economy and Placemaking.