Article 4 Directions Redington/Frognal and Fitzjohns/Netherhall Conservations Areas

Overview

What are Article 4 Directions?

An Article 4 Direction removes permitted development rights for a specific property or area. This means a planning application will be needed.

Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without a planning application.

We are reviewing the Article 4 Directions in the borough that relate to conservation areas. This includes introducing a new Article 4 Direction in Redington/Frognal and Fitzjohns/Netherhall Conservation Areas. 

The Article 4 Directions in Redington/Frognal and Fitzjohns/Netherhall Conservations Area will mean that planning permission for works to front boundary walls and paving front gardens is required.

Check whether your property is in the conservation area.

Why are we making the new Article 4 Directions?

In December 2022 new Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plans were adopted for these areas. The purpose of the documents are to inform planning decisions and to guide the protection, management and enhancement of the conservation area

Throughout both conservation areas the contribution of the streetscape is significant; the public and private trees, the vegetation, the boundaries between private gardens and the street, the rear gardens. The general layout and landscape character creates a green and leafy character. This is based on layout with front and rear gardens. The glimpses into rear garden spaces between properties are a characteristic of the area.

The documents identified that the loss of traditional front boundary treatments, such as walls and hedges, and the paving over of front gardens to create parking forecourts was causing harm to the character and appearance of the area.  In addition the introduction of metal gates and railings was causing considerable harm to the verdant character of the area.

The Redington Frognal Neighbourhood Plan, which is produced by the Neighbourhood Forum, has also identified this as an issue which is harming Redington Frognal Conservation Area.

In many cases these alterations can be carried out under permitted development, and therefore planning permission is not required.

In order to address this, a new Article 4 Direction was made on 9 June 2025, and will cover the following:

• the provision or replacement within the curtilage of a dwelling house of a hard surface at the front or side which fronts a public highway or private street or other publicly accessible space
• the erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure at the front or side of a dwelling house or flat where any part of the means of enclosure would front a public highway or private street or other publicly accessible space
• of the demolition of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure where any part of the means of enclosure would be at the front or side of a dwelling house or flat and front a public highway or private street or other publicly accessible space.

What happens next?

The Article 4 Directions were made on 9 June 2025. If they are confirmed by the Council they will come into force in June 2026 when the works listed above will require planning permission.

Before confirming the Article 4 Directions, we invite you to comment on them:

• online at the link below
• by email to Article4consultation@camden.gov.uk, or
• by post to Conservation Team, Development Management, London Borough of Camden, Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE.

Where to view the Article 4 Directions?

You can download a pdf copy of the Article 4 Directions in the related documents below 

Paper copies of the Article 4 Directions are also available to view at the following libraries:

• Swiss Cottage
• Pancras Square