Article 4 Directions (A4Ds) preventing office
to resi. conversions came into effect in July 2020 in a number
of locations in the Council area. These therefore fall within
the 'material period', under the Amendment Regulations and are
held in abeyance, as I understand it, until July 2021.
I am looking to see whether it is possible
to vary or make new A4Ds for these areas. However, it is
difficult to see how we can amend an A4D in line with something
which is held in abeyance and also whether this would have any
effect in the future in view of the changes being held in
abeyance. Also it is unknown at present what further changes
will be made to the GDPO and what Guidance will be published. In
addition, there is the uncertainty relating to the current legal
challenge in the High Court seeking permission to judicially
review the changes to the UCO and GPDO and how these were bought
into effect.
I would be interested to know whether other
Councils have grappled with these issues or whether like me,
they are awaiting the outcome of the High Court challenge, new
guidance and changes to the GDPO before seeing what can be done.
