Planning minister slams misuse of Article 4

摘要

Councils criticised for their 'disproportionate' use of Article 4 in response to the Government's relaxation of planning rules have hit back. Planning minister Nick Boles accused some town halls of 'undermining' the reforms, and threatened to cancel Islington LBC and Broxbourne BC's Article 4 directions so offices that 'should legitimately benefit from this national right can do so'. Councils have been using Article 4 after the Government changed legislation last year to allow offices to convert to homes without getting planning permission.