Chorley is the latest council to introduce an immediate Article 4 blocking HMOs
Chorley council voted this week to introduce an immediate Article 4 blocking PD rights to go from C3 to C4 despite the potential threat of compensation claims.
This means that you will need planning to go from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to a use falling within Class C4 (Houses in Multiple Occupation) across the borough of Chorley. This was previously permitted development for between 3 and 6 people.
Larger HMOs of 7 or more, which is Sui Generis, have always required planning permission. These are unaffected.
This took effect from 24th September 2025. The Chorley HMO direction and maps can be downloaded via our Article 4 HMO Map page.
Any HMO in Chorley, created by moving at least 3 unrelated tenants in on ASTs before 24th September 2025 is unaffected by this new Article 4 Direction. However here at Planning Geek, we would recommend a certificate of lawfulness once the new Article 4 direction is in place. We can assist you with this. Please complete the form found here.
In June, House of Commons Speaker and local MP, Lindsay Hoyle, asked Chorley Council to issue an Article 4 directive in response to the growing number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) throughout the Chorley area according to his post on facebook.
Hoyle said “An Article 4 directive means that all proposed HMO’s will require planning permission. Currently, HMO’s for 3-6 people are allowed under permitted development legislation, meaning that they can go ahead without planning permission. Given the concerns over HMO’s throughout the local community, it is important that we seek to influence and regulate the growth in this type of housing.”
“I am therefore delighted that the council are proposing to implement an Article 4 direction, coming into force with immediate effect following tonight’s council meeting. Whilst the need for planning permission doesn’t automatically stop HMO’s, it does ensure that full consideration can be given to each and every proposed application, taking into account the impact on the local area,’ impact on amenities and the suitability of the accommodation in question.”
Emerging Local Plan
b) the proposal would not ‘sandwich’ a dwelling between two HMO’s or create a block of three or more adjoining HMO’s.
c) the development would provide appropriate facilities for the storage and screening of refuse;
d) the proposal would provide adequate levels of car parking reflective of the site’s location, number of residents and local highway conditions; and
e) the proposal would enable active travel, through on-site covered cycle storage for use by occupiers.
Compensation could be due in Chorley
As a result of the immediate Article 4, compensation could be due for anyone currently planning an HMO in the borough of Chorley
Importantly any planning application must be submitted to Chorley by 23rd September 2026 (within 12 months of the direction coming into force), if the result of that application causes the applicant to suffer financial loss, compensation could be due. There is no defined period to claim compensation, but we would suggest within a year of planning approval, which could we well into 2027 or even 2028.
More information on Article 4 compensation can be found on this page.
Compensation could include:
Abortive expenditure, which could include preparatory work such as professional fees, plans, and reports
Other loss of damage directly attributable to the withdrawal of the permitted right i.e. the difference in the value of land if the development had been carried out and its value in its current state
Reduction in profit in carrying out the smaller development
The cost in complying with conditions i.e. bike storage
Further Reading
Further reading on Article 4s on Planning Geek
How to prepare for an Article 4 incoming
Map of all Article 4s affecting HMOs in England.
You can find more details on Article 4s, in our dedicated Article 4 section, which can also be accessed via the URL of https://article4.co.uk
Planning Geek Chorley Article 4 Page updated: 25th September 2025
