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Article 4 direction consultation
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is consulting on a proposal to introduce an Article 4 Direction in part of Hinckley. This page explains what that means, why the council is proposing it, and how you can have your say.
What is an Article 4 Direction?
An Article 4 Direction is a planning tool that allows a council to remove certain national 'permitted development' rights in a specific area.
At present, a house can be converted into a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) for up to six people without the need to apply for planning permission. If an Article 4 Direction is introduced, planning permission would be required for new HMOs within the designated area.
The Article 4 Direction would not ban HMOs and would not prevent development from taking place. Instead, it would allow the council to consider each proposal individually, taking into account local circumstances and planning policies before making a decision.
What is a house in multiple occupation (HMO)?
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property where three or more people from more than one household (for example, people who are not related) share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
HMOs play an important role in providing accommodation, but high concentrations in some areas can raise concerns about issues such as balance within neighbourhoods, pressure on local services and the character of residential streets.
Why is the council proposing an Article 4 Direction?
The council has received concerns from residents, councillors and local communities about the increasing concentration of HMOs in parts of Hinckley town centre and surrounding streets.
Under current national planning rules, the council has very limited ability to influence where new small HMOs are located. Introducing an Article 4 Direction would give the council greater control, allowing it to:
- Assess the impact of new HMOs on individual streets and neighbourhoods
- Consider the balance of housing types in an area
- Apply local planning policies when deciding applications
The aim is not to stop HMOs, but to manage their location more carefully and help achieve a more balanced and sustainable pattern of development.
Why does the Article 4 Direction only apply to a specific area?
National planning guidance requires Article 4 Directions to be evidence led and targeted, rather than applied across an entire borough.
For this reason, the council is proposing the Article 4 Direction for a defined area of Hinckley, where evidence shows that the concentration of HMOs is highest.
Here is a map and street listing showing the defined area of the proposed Article 4 Direction:
The Article 4 direction would cover both sides of the streets named unless specified:
- Albert Road
- Alma Road
- Baines Lane
- Baptist Walk
- Castle Street (north side)
- Clarence Road
- Council Road (north side)
- Dares Walk
- Davenport Terrace
- Derby Road (west side)
- Druid Street
- Factory Road
- Friary Close
- Gladstone Terrace
- Hollycroft (north side)
- Holliers Walk
- King Street
- Langham Close
- Leicester Road (south side)
- London Road (south side)
- Middlefield Lane (south side)
- Neals Yard
- New Buildings
- New Street
- Park Road (north side)
- Priory Walk
- Queen Victoria Court
- Queens Road
- Spa Lane (west side)
- Spencer Street
- Stockwell Head (north side)
- The Lawns
- Upper Bond Street
- Well Lane
- Wood Street
- Wood Street Close
You can also download this map and street listing
The council will continue to monitor the situation over time, and the boundary could be reviewed in the future if circumstances change.
What does this mean for existing HMOs?
The proposed Article 4 Direction would not be retrospective:
- Existing lawful HMOs would not be affected
- Landlords would still be able to apply for planning permission for new HMOs
- Licensing requirements for HMOs are separate and would remain unchanged
Have your say
The council wants to hear from residents, landlords, businesses and anyone with an interest in the future of Hinckley.
The consultation runs until Monday 23 March 2026.
You can take part by completing the online consultation survey using the link below. When responding, you will be asked for your postcode so the council can analyse which areas comments are coming from.
