Consultation

Article 4 Direction

On the 22 September 2025 Oldham Council decided to introduce a boroughwide non-immediate Article 4 Direction removing the permitted development right to convert a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4) for up to six residents (small HMO).

You can view the Article 4 Direction Notice, the Sealed Article 4 Direction, and the Background (evidence) Document below:

The documents are also available to view at Oldham Council, Customer Service Centre, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1HD and at the borough’s libraries (for opening times please visit https://hla.oldham.gov.uk/libraries/local-libraries/).

The Council is seeking representations (comments) on introducing the Article 4 Direction from 6 October until 11.59pm on 16 November 2025.

Representations should be made online at https://bigoldhamconvo.oldham.gov.uk/.

Alternatively, comments can be emailed to SPI.Consulations@oldham.gov.uk, or addressed to Strategic Planning and Information, Oldham Council, Spindles Shopping Centre, Oldham, OL1 1LF.

This Article 4 Direction will come into effect on 1 January 2026, or such other later date as considered appropriate, should the Direction be confirmed. This means that such conversions will no longer be permitted development and will require planning permission from that date.

Please note, this Article 4 Direction does not affect conversions of dwellings to HMOs for seven or more residents (large HMO), or for new build HMOs or those created from other changes of use or conversions (that is, those other than from dwellinghouses). These forms of development continue to require planning permission.

The introduction of an Article 4 Direction does not mean a planning application for a small HMO would be automatically refused. It does allow for the proper consideration of the effects of a proposed HMO on an area's amenity and local community, before issuing any planning permission. In doing so, we will be able to influence the quality of the HMO through the planning process.

Data Protection

Details of our core data protection and commitments are set out in the council's primary privacy notice and service privacy notice for Strategic Planning and Information are both available on the council's data protection web pages.

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The Local Plan helps to guide and manage future growth and development so we can meet the needs of the borough and its population.

It contains planning policies that will be used as the basis for determining planning applications and identifies sites where developments should be built, as well as areas for protection.

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Please note

  • Oldham Council is fully committed to compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
  • Comments cannot be treated as confidential.
  • Personal information provided as part of a representation cannot be treated as confidential as the Council is obliged to make all representations available for public inspection.
  • If you choose to make a representation you will be regarded by the Council as having consented to that representation being made available for public inspection.
  • All comments received will also be made available via the internet, along with the name of the person who submitted them.
  • Your address will not generally be available via the internet if you submit your comments electronically.
  • In addition, you should note that any documents, plans etc, you submit to accompany your comments may also be made available via the internet.
  • If we receive supporting documents containing email addresses, telephone numbers or signatures, we will endeavour to remove them. If your postal address is shown on any accompanying documents provided, though, then this will also be accessible via the internet.