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Article 4 Direction for Class E

The making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction for all Major Centres, District Centres, Local Centres and Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL), Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS) and Mixed-Use Employment Locations (MEL).

Lewisham Council approved the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction for all Major Centres, District Centres, Local Centres and Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL), Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS) and Mixed-Use Employment Locations (MEL) which removes permitted development rights for the change of use from commercial, business and service use (Use Class E) to residential use (Use Class C3), as allowed under Class MA, of Part 3, of Schedule 2 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) (the GPDO 2015).

What the direction means? 

Under an Article 4 Direction, permitted development rights can be withdrawn across defined areas. This will allow the Council to properly assess the impact of any loss of Class E uses through a robust methodology and, where necessary, refuse any application that would have an adverse impact.

Why is the change happening? 

Helping to facilitate a thriving, diverse and inclusive local economy is one of the Council’s key priorities. This means growing and strengthening the local economic base, making available a wide range of job opportunities, workspaces and employment sites across the Borough. We believe the indiscriminate loss of retail, commercial, business and service floorspace to residential through permitted development would have a negative effect on our town centres and employment locations within the borough and jeopardise the Council’s ambition. 

The Mayor of London encourages the use of Article 4 Directions covering Use Class E to Use Class C3 to protect the vitality and economic viability of town centres, employment and industrial areas as well as ensure high-quality residential development is delivered. Many other London Boroughs are also working towards this.

Article 4 Direction, including a map defining the area and associated documents

Article 4 Direction Class E Mayor and Cabinet Report 

Article 4 Direction Class E Evidence Paper 

Article 4 Direction Class E Boundaries Maps 

Article 4 Class E Screening Assessment 

Making of the Article 4 Direction Class E

Notice of Making the Article 4 Direction 

Have your say

We invite your comments during this representation period which will run from 30 September 2022 until Monday 5 December 2022.

At the end of the representation period, and after reviewing comments made by the public, the Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council will decide whether the Article 4(1) Direction is to be confirmed. If confirmed, the Direction will come into force on 30 September 2023. 

Complete our online survey.

A representation can also be made by: