Halton Borough Council, Executive Board have voted to introduce an immediate Article 4 within the local authority covering Widnes and Runcorn.
The meeting on 11th September saw a vote that blocked HMOs, of between 3 and 6 people, from permitted development within parts of Appleton, Central & West Bank, Halebank, Mersey & Weston, Beechwood & Heath, Grange, Bridgewater, Halton Castle, Halton Lea, Norton North and Norton South & Preston Brook. Any HMO outside of these areas is unaffected.
This means that Class L rights to go from C3 to C4 will no longer be an option in these areas and will require a planning application. Larger HMOs of 7 or more, which is Sui Generis, have always required planning permission. These are unaffected.
This took effect from 24th September 2025. The Halton HMO direction and maps can be downloaded via our Article 4 HMO Map page.
Any HMO, created by moving at least 3 unrelated tenants in on ASTs before 25th September 2025 is unaffected by this new Article 4 Direction. However here at Planning Geek, we would recommend a certificate of lawfulness once the new Article 4 direction is in place. We can assist you with this. Please complete the form found here.
Compensation could be due in Halton
As a result of the immediate Article 4, compensation could be due for anyone currently planning an HMO in the affected parts of Halton BC.
Importantly any planning application must be submitted to Halton by 24th September 2026 (within 12 months of the direction coming into force), if the result of that application causes the applicant to suffer financial loss, compensation could be due. There is no defined period to claim compensation, but we would suggest within a year of planning approval, which could we well into 2027 or even 2028.
More information on Article 4 compensation can be found on this page.
Compensation could include:
Abortive expenditure, which could include preparatory work such as professional fees, plans, and reports
Other loss of damage directly attributable to the withdrawal of the permitted right i.e. the difference in the value of land if the development had been carried out and its value in its current state
Reduction in profit in carrying out the smaller development
The cost in complying with conditions i.e. bike storage
Further Reading
Further reading on Article 4s on Planning Geek
How to prepare for an Article 4 incoming
Map of all Article 4s affecting HMOs in England.
You can find more details on Article 4s, in our dedicated Article 4 section, which can also be accessed via the URL of https://article4.co.uk
Planning Geek Halton Article 4 Page updated: 24th September 2025
