In response to local concerns the Council is consulting businesses and landowners in its 13 town centres across the borough and residents and other interested parties on the introduction of a ‘Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction.’

An increasing number of shops, offices and other commercial buildings in the borough’s town centres are being converted into residential dwellings under the current permitted development rights.  In order to ensure that this growth is properly managed the Council has taken a decision to introduce a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction that will bring this type of development into planning control.   

This does not mean that this type of development is unacceptable it simply means that a planning application will be required where the Council will then consider these forms of development against the Development Plan.  Where applications are considered as acceptable, planning permission would be granted and appropriate conditions imposed as needed.

Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Growth, Councillor Munur said:

We are always looking at ways to make sure we secure good growth for the borough.  We need to make sure that our town centres are protected so that they can remain viable shopping areas for local businesses and residents. 

This will provide us with the additional controls we need to ensure that the right balance is struck between meeting housing needs and protecting local jobs.”

The consultation on the Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction is open to the public for comment for three months from 6 November 2024 until 5pm on 5 February 2025.

The Article 4 Direction, including maps defining the areas covered, and all supporting documents, is available online on the council website.

Alternatively paper copies of the documents can be viewed during normal office hours at: London Borough of Bexley Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT, and in all of the libraries in the borough.

You can also email your views to SP&GTeam@bexley.gov.uk please put ‘Article 4 Direction’ in the subject line. 

Alternatively, write to the team:
Strategic Planning
London Borough of Bexley
2 Watling Street
Bexleyheath
DA6 7AT

Any correspondence concerning the Article 4 Direction consultation must be received by 5pm on 5 February 2025.