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Article 4 Directions - Conservation areas

Article 4 Directions are restrictions set by councils to remove certain permitted development rights. They are generally used to protect conservation areas, control conversions and maintain local character. These directions don’t prevent all development, but instead provide an opportunity for us to review proposals before work starts. 

Homeowners of properties subject to Article 4 Directions require planning permission for changes that would otherwise be permitted and must make a planning application for these works.

Any home in the borough can be subject to an Article 4 Direction.

Why Article 4 Directions are applied

Some homes in Richmond are part of groups or whole streets of similarly designed properties that share similar original architectural features. In these places, seemingly minor changes can greatly disrupt the character and appearance of these buildings.

If your home is subject to an Article 4 Direction, you must apply for planning permission to make changes to it, including but not limited to the following:

  • Extensions and additions
  • New doors and windows
  • Painting and rendering brickwork
  • Removing chimneys
  • Replacing front gardens
  • Replacing boundary walls with hard surfaces

If permission is not granted householders have the right to appeal the decision.

Before you apply

You should contact us before you carry out any work on a building within a conservation area.

List of Article 4 Directions

Any new Article 4 Direction, unless introduced as an emergency measure, will involve full public consultation.

Download our Article (4) Directions information sheet(pdf, 208KB), or the Article (4) Directions register(pdf, 109KB).

The list below includes more information about each Article (4) Direction:

Up to: Article 4 Directions

Updated: 21 April 2026

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