Article 4 Directions and Development Control: Planning Myths,Present Uses and Future Possibilities

This paper deals with the issue of the restriction of what is ordinarily classified as permitted development under the General Development Order (GDO) through the making of Directions under Article 4 of the GDO. The planning literature contains a number of assertions about the levels of use, procedural problems and utility of such Directions. These 'planning myths' are tested through quantitative and qualitative analyses of a stratified sample survey of 50% of the local planning authorities in Great Britain. The field of built environment conservation is shown to be the largest single user of Directions, and this aspect is dealt with in greater detail. However, the second highest use of Directions, and probably the fastest-growing field, is in the control of markets and car boot sales. As additional conservation controls were announced in 1994, this may be the area of future public pressure on permitted development rights. The potential utility of Directions in formulating area-based planning policies is discussed.