FOI release

Article 4 direction

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2026/01188

Received 9 June 2026

Published 8 July 2026

Request

Information Request –

1) Has an Article 4 direction ever been made by GBC so that a change of use of a dwelling house from C3 to C4 will require a planning consent?

2) How have Article 4 directions otherwise been used?

Response

Thank you for your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Please find the answers to your queries below:

Information Request –

1) Has an Article 4 direction ever been made by GBC so that a change of use of a dwelling house from C3 to C4 will require a planning consent?

Guildford Borough Council does not have any Article 4 directions currently in place for HMOs.

I can also confirm that for the period June 2010 to June 2026 there have been 10 instances of planning applications specifically involving the change of use of a dwelling house from C3 to C4. Please find the planning application reference numbers and publicly available information relating to each decision below:

26/P/00857 – 36 Fentum Road, Guildford, GU2 9SA – application received 23rd June 2026 – decision – awaiting decision:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_214233&activeTab=summary

26/P/00313 – 12 Vernon Way, Guildford, GU2 8DD – application received 10th March 2026 – status: withdrawn:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_213229&activeTab=summary

25/P/01467 – 63 Beckingham Road, Guildford, GU2 8BT – application received 27th October 2025 – decision: refuse:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_212015&activeTab=summary

25/P/01152 – 82 Beckingham Road, Guildford, GU2 8BU – application received 15th August 2025 – status: withdrawn:

25/P/01152 | Certificate of lawfulness for proposed change of use to establish whether the conversion of a class C3 dwellinghouse to class C4 house in multiple occupation (HMO) would be lawful. | 82 Beckingham Road, Guildford, GU2 8BU

23/P/01312 – 32 Queen Eleanors Road, Guildford, GU2 7SL – application received 2nd August 2023 – decision: refuse:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_203967&activeTab=summary

21/P/02243 – 15 Foxenden Road, Guildford, GU1 4DL – application received 22nd October 2021 – decision: refuse:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_197198&activeTab=summary

20/P/01936 – 186 New Road, Chilworth, Guildford, GU4 8LX – application received 13th November 2020 – decision: approve:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_192907&activeTab=summary

19/P/00415 – 21 Little Platt, Guildford, GU2 8JU – application received 7th March 2019 – decision: approve:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_185741&activeTab=summary

10/P/01540 – 49 Beech Grove, Guildford, GU2 7UZ – application received 2nd August 2010 – decision: approve:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_117430&activeTab=summary

10/P/01210 – 64 Cabell Road, Guildford, GU2 8JF – application received 22nd June 2010 – decision: approve:

https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_GUILD_DCAPR_116347&activeTab=summary

 

2) How have Article 4 directions otherwise been used?

They have been used for the removal of permitted development rights in conservation areas, where the intention is to preserve the character of the area. More information about the conservation areas in question can be found on our website, via the following link:

https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/16930/Conservation-Areas

As such, the information you require can be found from publicly available sources and consequentially under Section 21 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible.

 

Yours sincerely,

FOI Team

Guildford Borough Council

Documents

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