Issue details

Recent changes in planning rules mean that a range of commercial premises including shops, cafes, gyms and other services could be converted to houses or flats without the need for planning permission.
The Council is particularly concerned about the effects this could have on the main shopping area in Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, as it could lead to shops, cafes and gyms and other business premises, which provide services to the community, being lost.
The making of an Article 4 Direction to take immediate effect protects the main parts of the town centre from the loss of shops, cafes and other such business premises to residential use.