Decision

RESOLVED:

1. To approve the confirmation of an Article 4 Direction (A4D) (Appendix 1) to withdraw the permitted development (“PD”) rights granted by Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) (“the GDPO”) for changes of use from Class E to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) in Hackney’s CAZ, City Fringe, and Major Town Centres area (as shown in Appendix 2).

REASONS FOR DECISION

1. The Council considers that the PD right allowing change of use from Use Class E (commercial, business and services) to C3 (dwellinghouse) without planning permission may constitute a threat to the economy, jobs and amenities of the Borough and would be prejudicial to the proper planning of the Borough, in particular the Council’s ability to prevent the loss of uses which contribute to the wider strategic aims for the area.
2. These A4Ds are considered necessary because the Council’s employment and retail planning policies are based on robust evidence which establishes a need to protect employment and commercial uses to ensure the vitality and viability of Hackney’s economy. The permitted development rights would undermine the operation of these policies and may impact negatively on the provision of employment spaces, commercial spaces and jobs in the Borough.