Article 4 Direction - Use Class E (commercial, business and services) to Use Class C3 (residential)

Overview

Representation Period for an Article 4 Direction for Class E (commercial, business and service)

Lewisham Council approved the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction for Major Centres, District Centres, Local Centres and Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL), Mixed-Use Employment Locations (MEL), some Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS) and some Parades, 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).

Under an Article 4 Direction, permitted development rights can be withdrawn across defined areas.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.

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.

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 1^st November 2025.

Why your views matter

We invite your comments during this representation period which will run from the 18th September 2024 until the end of Friday the 1st November 2024.

A representation can also be made by:

• Emailing planning.policy@lewisham.gov.uk
• Posting it to Strategic Planning Team, 4th Floor, Laurence House, Catford Rd, London SE6 4R

The Article 4 Direction, maps and associated documents can be downloaded below.