Havering Conservatives Put Motion Forward To Explore Extending Planning Protections Borough Wide To Stop Illegal HMOs.

Havering Conservatives will work with Havering Residents Association Councillors to put forward a Havering wide Article 4 Direction. An Article 4 Direction is used by local authorities to restrict permitted development rights.

At last night’s Full Council meeting, councillors agreed to explore extending planning protections across the whole borough after a motion was presented by Councillor Nisha Patel.

The original motion asked the Council to consider a borough-wide Article 4 direction. Such directions remove certain permitted development rights, requiring property owners to seek planning permission for changes that could otherwise be made without approval.

Havering already has Article 4 Directions in place of which measures first introduced under the previous Conservative administration to safeguard local character and prevent inappropriate development. The latest proposal would strengthen and broaden these protections by examining whether they should apply more widely.

Councillor Patel told the Havering Daily:

“This is about protecting Havering’s communities and ensuring development happens in the right way. By building on the existing Article 4 Directions that we Conservatives introduced, we can make sure residents have a stronger say in changes that affect their neighbourhoods.”

Councillor Viddy Persaud who seconded Councillor Patels motion said:

‘We welcome this opportunity to strengthen those protections further to ensure that residents voices are heard”

Council officers will now prepare advice on the feasibility of a borough-wide Article 4 direction, with any proposals subject to consultation before a final decision.

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