Article 4 Direction consultation - Barwell and Earl Shilton
About the consultation
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is asking for views on a proposal to introduce an Article 4 Direction in parts of Earl Shilton and Barwell. This page explains what that is, 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 measure that lets a council remove some national permitted development rights in a specific area.
At the moment, a house can be changed into a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) for up to six people without planning permission. If an Article 4 Direction is brought in, planning permission would be needed for new HMOs in the area it covers.
The Article 4 Direction would not ban HMOs or stop development. It would mean the council could look at each proposal on its own merits, taking local circumstances and planning policies into account 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 live together and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
HMOs are an important part of the housing supply, but when too many are concentrated in one area they can raise concerns about the balance of the neighbourhood, pressure on local services, and the character of residential streets.
Why is the council proposing an Article 4 Direction?
After introducing an Article 4 Direction in Hinckley, the council said it would keep monitoring the borough to spot areas where HMO growth might lead to unmanaged impacts or push development into other places.
HMOs are an important part of the local housing mix. But local experience shows that steady growth, especially where properties cluster together, can create combined impacts that are hard to manage without planning controls.
Under current national planning rules, the council has limited control over where new small HMOs are located. An Article 4 Direction would give the council more control and allow 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 where they are located more carefully and support a more balanced, sustainable pattern of development.
Why would the Article 4 Direction only apply to a specific area?
National planning guidance says Article 4 Directions should be based on evidence and focused on specific areas, rather than applied across a whole borough.
Evidence for Earl Shilton
There are 14 properties that are known or suspected to be operating as HMOs:
- Licensed HMOs – one
- Non-licensed HMOs – four
- Identified through council tax records – two
- Properties identified for further officer visits – two
- Other properties known through housing and enforcement intelligence – five
Evidence for Barwell
There are 16 properties that are known or suspected to be operating as HMOs:
- Licensed HMOs – two
- Non-licensed HMOs – two
- Identified through council tax records – six
- Properties identified for further officer visits – two
- Other properties known through housing and enforcement intelligence – four
The number of properties identified through council tax data suggests some HMOs may be operating without a licence and strengthens the case for earlier planning control.
Officers are increasingly concerned about the combined effect of several HMOs in the same streets and neighbourhoods in Earl Shilton and Barwell, rather than the impact of single properties looked at on their own.
The map and street list show the area covered by the proposed Article 4 Direction:
The Article 4 Direction would apply to both sides of the streets listed, unless stated otherwise.
The council will keep monitoring the situation and may review the boundary in future if circumstances change.
What would this mean for existing HMOs?
The proposed Article 4 Direction would not apply retrospectively. This means:
- 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 Earl Shilton and Barwell.
The consultation runs until 2pm on Monday 6 July 2026.
You can take part by completing the online consultation survey using the link below. When you respond, you will be asked for your postcode so the council can see which areas comments are coming from.
Have your say on the Article 4 Direction (surveymonkey.com)
Last updated: 20/05/2026 14:58
