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Non-immediate Article 4 Direction for HMO Consultation

Gloucester City Council is seeking your views on proposals to introduce stronger controls on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the city. The proposal for a non immediate Article 4 Direction responds to the evidence that the overconcentration of HMOs in certain areas in the city correlates with higher levels of crime, ASB, and environmental complaints and is resulting in a loss of mixed and balanced communities.

These proposals are intended to improve housing conditions, support safer neighbourhoods, and manage the growth, concentration, and quality of HMOs in a balanced way. 

The Council has commissioned ARK Consultancy to manage the consultation. 

The Council has made a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction in selected wards in Gloucester

This will introduce a non immediate Article 4 Direction in the following six wards: 

  • Kingsholm & Wotton
  • Westgate
  • Barton & Tredworth
  • Moreland
  • Kingsway
  • Elmbridge

The Article 4 Direction is a direction under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 which enables local planning authorities to remove permitted development rights, meaning planning permission would be required to convert a single dwellinghouse (C3) into a small HMO (C4). A small HMO is one with 3 to 6 tenants. Larger HMOs with 7 or more tenants already require planning permission. 

Click here to view the public Article 4 Direction Notice 

Who we want to hear from 

We welcome views from anyone with an interest in housing and communities in Gloucester, including:

  • Residents, tenants and community groups
  • Private landlords and letting agents
  • Businesses and employers
  • Community, voluntary and faith organisations
  • Advice agencies and representative bodies 

How to respond 

This consultation is being delivered by Ark Consultancy and is planned to run for 10 weeks, from 2 March 2026 to 11 May 2026. 

You can share your views by visiting the official consultation website Gloucester City Council HMO Consultations - ARK Consultancy