County Durham – Planning Controls Introduced for HMO Conversions

Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)
(England) Order 2015 - Notice pursuant to Schedule 3 of the confirmation of an Article 4 Direction without immediate effect

PLANNING CONTROLS OVER HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION

Notice is hereby given that the County Council of Durham (“the Council”) has confirmed a Direction under Article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (“the Direction”).

The Direction applies to the administrative area of the County Council of Durham excluding the areas of Framwellgate Moor, Pity Me, Newton Hall, Mount Oswald, Carrville, Belmont and Durham City which are already covered by Article 4 Directions (“the Direction Area”).

The Direction relates to development comprising a change of use from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to a use falling within Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation) of that Order and removes permitted development rights for this type of development comprised in Class L(b) of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 from the date when the Direction comes into force. Planning permission will therefore be required for a material change of use from Class C3 (dwellinghouses) to Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation) in respect of properties situated within the Direction Area once the Direction is in force.

A copy of the Direction, including a map defining the Direction Area, can be viewed at every library within the Direction Area during normal opening hours or on the Council’s website at www.durham.gov.uk

The Direction will come into force on 17 August 2026.

MICHAEL KELLEHER Head of Planning and Housing,
Durham County Council Corten House Aykley Heads Durham, DH1 5TS
Dated: 21.11.25