Article 4 Direction

An Article 4 Direction is a planning tool which enables Local Planning Authorities to respond to the specific needs of their areas. 

For specific types of developments, planning permission is not required, these are referred to as 'permitted development rights'. 

However, by implementing an Article 4 Direction, a Local Planning Authority can require planning consent for some types of developments.

As part of efforts to manage the use of some houses as second homes and holiday lets in communities, the Welsh Government has amended relevant Planning Acts. These reforms enable Local Planning Authorities to control the use of houses as second homes or short-term holiday lets. 

Use classes (categories) have been introduced which relates to dwelling houses, second homes and holiday lets, as follows:

• Class C3 - Dwelling houses, used as a sole residence or main residence (Main Home),
• Class C5 - Dwelling houses used otherwise that as a sole or main residence (Second Home)
• Class C6 - Short-term lets (Short-term Holiday Accommodation) 

Previously, it was possible to change between these specific use classes without the need for planning permission. However, in order to control the use of houses, planning authorities can now modify the planning system locally in their area through the introduction of an Article 4 Direction. 

Introducing an Article 4 Direction means that a Local Planning Authority can remove the permitted development rights for some types of development. This makes it a requirement to receive planning permission from the Local Planning Authority before changing a property to a specific use as specified in the Article 4 Direction.

If you wish to change the use of a residential dwelling (which is a main home) within the Gwynedd Local Planning Authority Area to a second home, short term holiday let or specific mixed use, from 1 September onwards, you will be required to receive planning consent from Cyngor Gwynedd Local Planning Authority before undertaking the change of use.   

If a residential dwelling is already in use as a second home, short term holiday let or specific mixed uses (before 1 September 2024) and the intention is to continue with the established use – there will not be a requirement to do anything in response to the Article 4 Direction.

Cyngor Gwynedd has called for the introduction of changes to ensure better control of the use of houses as holiday homes, whether they are second homes or short-term holiday lets. This change was campaigned for as part of efforts to ensure that there is an affordable provision of houses that meet the needs of local communities. 

As was highlighted in research published by the Council in 2020, "Managing the use of dwellings as holiday homes", Gwynedd has the highest percentage of second homes and short-term holiday accommodation in Wales. More recent research by the Council shows that on average 65.5% of the population of Gwynedd are being priced out of the housing market, with the percentage increasing substantially in areas where there are higher numbers of holiday homes. 

By successfully implementing the measures, the use of houses as second homes and short-term holiday lets can be controlled in the Gwynedd Planning Authority Area. Furthermore, the changes to planning legislation offers an opportunity to manage the use made of new houses in the future. 

No, the decision to introduce the Article 4 Direction is not retrospective and property-owners are not expected to submit a planning application for a use that is already established. 

The direction is relevant to any change of use following the formal confirmation and implementation of the Article 4 Direction by the Local Planning Authority (Cyngor Gwynedd) from 1 September 2024.

However, if you wish to receive formal confirmation of the legal use of your property, you can do so by submitting a Lawful Development Certificate application to the Local Planning Authority. A Lawful Development Certificate provides assurance that the current use of the building is lawful, and that planning permission is not required for that use. It is not compulsory to obtain a Lawful Development Certificate, however, there may be circumstances where it may be useful to confirm that the use of the property is lawful.

Owners of second homes and holiday lets are advised to collect evidence or keep a record that shows the use of their property (e.g. tax evidence or letting transfers) at the time the Article 4 Direction comes into force on 1 September 2024. This evidence can be used to support your case should the use be questioned in the future.

This type of use is defined as mixed use C3/C6. Following the implementation of the Article 4 Direction on 1 September 2024 planning permission will need to be required to undertake this change of use.  

There was a specific process that the Council as a Local Planning Authority  follow to introduced an Article 4 Direction. 

On 13 June 2023 a report presented to Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet outlined the evidence to support the presentation of Article 4 Direction for the Gwynedd Local Planning Authority.

During that meeting the Cabinet agreed to serve an Article 4 Direction notice and hold a public engagement period where there will be an opportunity for members of the public to submit comments.

All responses were considered in detail, before the matter was considered by the Cabinet for a final decision. After the Council Cabinet voted in favour of introducing an Article 4 Direction, it will be implemented from 1 September 2024. 

Eryri National Park Authority is also considering the introduction of an Article 4 Direction in the area of Gwynedd where it acts as the Local Planning Authority. 

Making a formal decision on the issue will be a matter for individual Local Planning Authorities. 

More information about Article 4 and Eryri National Park on their website: Eryri National Park website 

Map showing planning areas' bounderies