Source: City of Preston
Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to share their views on a newly made Article 4 Direction, which will introduce a more restrictive approach to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within specific areas across the city.
The Article 4 Direction relating to HMOs, made on Thursday 29 January 2026, will introduce greater planning control over the creation of HMOs by removing permitted development rights to convert a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4) within designated parts of Preston’s urban area.
A recent review undertaken by the Council identified more than 900 HMOs currently operating in Preston. Since the publication of the review, the Council has continued to monitor the growth of HMOs, identifying a further 60 across the city. This high concentration of HMOs in Preston’s urban area has been shown to negatively impact residents’ amenities and quality of life, including increased pressure on on-street parking, issues relating to street cleanliness, and instances of anti-social behaviour.
The newly made Article 4 Direction covers Preston’s main urban area, defined as being north of the River Ribble, east of the A582 (Edith Rigby Way), south of the M55 motorway, and west of the M6 motorway.
A map of the proposed area can be found on the Council’s website, along with an interactive map for ease of reference.
Councillor Amber Afzal, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation, said:
“There is evidence that there are too many HMOs in the city, more than are necessary to meet local needs. This has an impact on residents’ quality of life and reduces the supply of much-needed family accommodation.
The Council is therefore consulting on introducing additional controls to limit the number of new HMOs through the planning process, and we encourage the public to have their say on our consultation to provide feedback on the proposed approach.”
The Article 4 Direction consultation will take place online over the next six weeks, offering stakeholders and the public an opportunity to comment on the Made Article 4 Direction, before the Council decides whether the Direction should be confirmed after reviewing the comments to the consultation.
The consultation will close on Thursday, 19 March 2026.
As a non-immediate Article 4 Direction, the Direction would not come into effect until Monday, 15 February 2027, should the direction be confirmed by the Council.
Notices have been displayed across the city and are on display at the following locations:
- Fulwood Library, 294 Garstang Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9RX
- Ribbleton Library, Ribbleton Hall Drive, Ribbleton, Preston, PR2 6EE
- Savick Library, 1-6 Birkdale Drive, Ashton on Ribble, Preston, PR2 1UL
- Sharoe Green Library, 8 Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8ED
- The Harris, Market Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2PP
- Preston Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RL
More information
Preston City Council is an innovative and forward-looking authority, championing a pioneering city. We are committed to delivering sustainable public services and developing long-term solutions that build community wealth and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Our vision is of a fair and resilient economy in a culturally rich, healthy, clean and green city where everyone matters. At the heart of this is our commitment to Community Wealth Building — an approach that ensures the economic system generates shared prosperity and lasting benefits for the whole community.