Christmas and New Year closure information
Our council offices and phone lines will close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen at 9am on Monday 5 January 2026.
See our service arrangements for customers during this time.
Article 4 direction: office to residential conversions in Norwich
See which properties have extra planning rules (Article 4 Direction) and what guidance applies.
What is an article 4 direction?
An Article 4 Direction is a planning rule that removes automatic rights to convert offices into homes in certain areas. In Norwich city centre, this means you must apply for full planning permission to change the use of specific office buildings to residential.
Why has this been introduced?
Since 2013, many offices in Norwich have been converted into housing without needing full planning permission. This has led to the loss of around 30% of office space since 2008, making it harder for businesses to find suitable premises.
To protect key office buildings and support the local economy, Norwich City Council introduced an Article 4 Direction. Independent research confirmed that Norwich’s office market is fragile and needs safeguarding.
Timeline of events:
- 28 July 2021: Direction proposed.
- 15 December 2021: Direction confirmed after public consultation.
- 22 February 2023: Modified version came into force, covering a smaller, more focused area based on government feedback.
What does this mean for property owners?
If your office building is within the affected area, you’ll need to apply for planning permission before converting it to residential use. This allows the council to:
- protect important office locations
- assess the impact on the local economy
- ensure new housing meets quality standards
Where does it apply?
The direction applies to selected buildings in Norwich city centre. You can view the affected area on the official map (PDF, 2 MB) or check individual properties.
