On the 3rd July Wigan Council voted to introduce an Article 4 blocking HMOs for between 3 and 6 people. In many areas this is permitted development and does not require planning permission to go from a C3 to C4 dwelling.
As a result of this decision any HMO in Wigan Council area will require planning permission after 31st August 2025. But compensation could be payable.
Wigan previously had an Article 4 in Swinley and central Leigh that was introduced on 20th January 2020. This new Article 4 in Wigan replaces this one.
Importantly this does not prevent a planning application from being submitted, Planning Geek can assist you with this. Please complete this form.
Any HMO, outside of Swinley and central Leigh, that is created by moving at least 3 unrelated tenants in on ASTs before 31st August 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 Wigan
Although Wigan did not introduce an immediate Article 4, they have failed to give the required 12 months notice to avoid claims of compensation. An earlier FAQ suggesting that compensation wasn’t due thanks to a short consultation period has been updated and this suggestion removed. However the website fails to mention that compensation could be due.
Importantly any planning application must be submitted to Wigan by 30th August 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 be due for loss of income, loss of commercial value of the property, additional expenses due to conditions etc.
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 Wigan Article 4 Page updated: 25th August 2025
