Ipswich Borough Council has made an Article 4 Direction which, if confirmed, would affect parts of the Borough.

The Article 4 Direction, if confirmed, would remove existing permitted development rights for material changes of use from dwelling houses (C3 use class) to small houses of multiple occupation (HMOs, C4 use class), made under article 4(1) of the General Permitted Development Order (2015 amendments), and would affect the following wards: Alexandra; Bixley; Bridge; Castle Hill; Gainsborough; Gipping; Holywells; Priory Heath; Rushmere; St John’s; St Margaret’s; Westgate.  In some cases, very small portions of wards are affected, and these areas can be viewed on the map attached to the Direction (links below).

This Article 4 Direction would result in there being a requirement for applicants to make a planning application for changes of use from dwelling houses to small HMOs, in order for them to be formally assessed by the Local Planning Authority. The Article 4 Direction is a non-immediate direction, and it is therefore anticipated that the direction will come into force, subject to confirmation by the Council on the 01 June 2024.The Direction and accompanying documentation can be viewed from 10 May 2023, 9am to 11.45pm on Wednesday the 21 June 2023.

The direction, supporting documentation and a map showing the boundary extent of the proposed area covered by the Article 4 Direction for HMOs will be published for a six-week public notification period commencing on 10 May 2023 at 9am.

The Council hereby invites representations concerning the proposed Article 4 Direction.

The following documents are available for public inspection: 

• Ipswich Borough Council HMO Article 4 Direction dated 10 May 2023;
• Ipswich Borough Council Maps of the Extent of the HMO Article 4 Direction Boundary (Areas affected by the Article 4 Direction)
• Detailed Maps (Showing Areas 1-9)
• Area 1
• Area 2
• Area 3
• Area 4
• Area 5
• Area 6
• Area 7
• Area 8
• Area 9
• Ipswich Borough Council HMO Article 4 Direction Public Notification (dated 10 May 2023);
• Ipswich Borough Council HMO Article 4 Direction Technical Evidence Paper;
• Ipswich Borough Council Article 4 Direction for HMOs Equality Impact Assessment;
• Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Report (under Regulation 9 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004) for the Ipswich Borough Council Article 4 Direction for HMOs; and
• Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report for the Ipswich Borough Council Article 4 Direction for HMOs.

Printed versions of the documents relating to the above consultation are also available for inspection at the following physical locations:

• Grafton House Reception, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm) – by appointment only (see arrangements below)*
• At the County Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich, IP1 3DE (Mon, Weds, Thurs 9am to 6pm; Tues, Fri 9am to 7pm; Saturdays 8.30am to 5pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm); and
• Town Hall, Cornhill, Ipswich (Mon to Sat 10am to 4pm).

*To view the documents at the Council’s Offices, Grafton House, please call 01473 432019 or email planningpolicy@ipswich.gov.uk to arrange viewing.

How to comment:

Please submit your comments to the Council in one of the following ways, to be received no later than 11.45pm on Wednesday the 21 June 2023:

• By the Ipswich Borough Council HMO Article 4 Direction Public Notification Form:

• Directly on the following form: Article 4 Direction for Houses of Multiple Occupation - Consultation (office.com) or
• Download the HMO Article 4 Direction Public Notification Comment Form (Word/PDF) 
• By email to planningpolicy@ipswich.gov.uk   
• In writing to the following address: Planning Policy Team, Planning and Development, Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE.

Any representations received will be taken into account when reported back to the Executive and Full Council.

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