New measures will be introduced to prevent business premises in the Three Rivers district being converted into housing without planning permission.
From Friday, March 29, Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) has imposed an Article 4 direction on nine locations in the local area.
Areas covered under the Article 4 direction include Kings Langley, Croxley Business Park, the Maple Cross/Maple Lodge employment area, Tolpits Lane employment area, Leavesden Park, Rickmansworth town centre, and the district centres for Chorleywood, Abbots Langley and South Oxhey.
This means that developers will have to apply for planning permission for change of use of a building. Planning officers will then consider the application in line with planning policy.
It will also allow the council to assess planning applications in more detail and allow for planning gains, such as affordable housing and infrastructure contributions, which previously were not applicable.
Marko Kalik, TRDC’s head of planning policy and conservation, said: “The district’s employment space and town centres are really important, and we need to ensure they have enough space for jobs and economic growth as the district continues to thrive economically.
“Having an Article 4 direction will ensure the council has greater control over the designs of the conversions and will help deliver the right type of housing the district needs.”
0 Comments