The Council made a non-immediate Article 4 Direction on 3rd August 2022 to remove the permitted development right to change the use of a building from a use falling within Class E (commercial, business and service uses) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) to a use falling within Class C3 (dwelling house)  of that Order.

This Direction, if confirmed by the Council, will come into force on 3rd August 2023 and will apply across parts of a number of retail centres in the Borough. Permitted development rights for this type of development will then be withdrawn and a grant of planning permission will be required.