An immediate Article 4 Direction which removes the right to demolish buildings without planning consent at Doncaster Sheffield Airport has come into force today (June 5).

Although the direction takes effect today, City of Doncaster Council has six months to confirm the direction otherwise it will expire. So, under planning rules that means the council can receive further comments from interested parties before deciding whether to confirm the Article 4 Direction.

In April 2023 City of Doncaster Council sought views from landowners and the general public on a proposal to make an Article 4 Direction in relation to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, via a pre-consultation.

After consideration of the evidence base and pre-consultation feedback, on May 19, Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Culture and Planning made the decision ‘To approve the making of an immediate Article 4 Direction which removes permitted development rights related to the demolition of buildings at Doncaster Sheffield Airport’ and to take ‘all necessary steps required in consultation, confirmation and notification pursuant to requirements under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).’

Following the completion of the internal call in period and allowing for notice to be served on the landowners and occupiers, the Article 4 Direction is in effect as of June 5 2023.

The Article 4 Direction is made under Article 4 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). In this case, it has the effect of removing Permitted Development Rights relating to the demolition of buildings under Class B Part 11 of Schedule 2 to the General Permitted Development Order, in the area specified. The effect of this is that planning permission will now be required for the demolition of buildings within the defined area.

In line with legal requirements, a 21-day consultation period has started enabling further representations to be made by interested parties. These representations will be taken into account when deciding whether to confirm the Direction. The deadline for comments is Monday June 26 2023.

A copy of the order, map and justification for the Article 4 Direction, as well as details of how to comment can be viewed here:

 The Article 4 Direction means that any proposals to demolish buildings in the defined area at the airport will now need to be subject to a planning application and assessment via a full planning process. These buildings include but are not limited to the control tower, fire station, hangars, cargo and transit sheds, the runway and the terminal building. Any planning application will be subject to the normal national and local policy considerations and key statutory consultation.

Over 96 per cent of people who responded to an informal public consultation on the Article 4 Direction supported the move to safeguard the site.