Article 4 Direction: Small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Wisbech

On 24 February 2025, Full Council approved an Immediate Article 4 Direction for central Wisbech (comprising of the following wards Wisbech Riverside and Wisbech South) and a Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction for outer Wisbech (comprising of the following wards Wisbech North; Wisbech Walsoken and Waterless; and Leverington and Wisbech Rural).

These Article 4 Directions remove permitted development rights, requiring property owners to obtain planning permission before converting a dwelling into a small House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) and vice versa.

The direction only applies to the conversion of 'small HMOs', which have been between three and six unrelated occupiers. 'Large HMOs', which are occupied by more than six unrelated occupiers, were already subject to planning permission.

Following public consultation, the Immediate Article 4 Direction for central Wisbech was confirmed in August 2025 and the Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction for outer Wisbech was confirmed in February 2026.

Immediate Article 4 Direction (central Wisbech)

• Immediate Article 4 Direction (PDF, 2 MB)
• Immediate Article 4 Direction Map (PDF, 2 MB)

Non-immediate Article 4 Direction (outer Wisbech)

• Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction (PDF, 2 MB)
• Non-immediate Article 4 Direction Map (PDF, 2 MB)

Full Council Paper and Officer Decision Forms

• Full Council Paper: Article 4 Direction (PDF, 1 MB)
• Officer Decision: Immediate Article 4 Direction: C3 to HMO conversions in central Wisbech (PDF, 76 KB)
• Officer Decision: Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction: C3 to HMO conversions in outer Wisbech (PDF, 75 KB)

Supporting Documents

• FAQs: Article 4 Direction for HMOs in Wisbech
• Technical Evidence Paper - HMOs in Wisbech (PDF, 1 MB)
• Report of Consultation: Article 4 Direction for HMOs in Wisbech (PDF, 92 KB)
• EIA Scoping: Article 4 Direction for HMOs in Wisbech (PDF, 249 KB)

Houses in Multiple Occupancy Interim Planning Guidance Note (IPGN)

The Houses in Multiple Occupancy IPGN explains how Fenland District Council will assess planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The guidance applies to small HMOs (Use Class C4) in areas where permitted development rights have been removed, and to large HMOs (Sui Generis).

For more information, visit: Houses in Multiple Occupancy IPGN