Bootle, Litherland, Seaforth, Waterloo and Southport
On 20th September 2017 the Council issued a ‘non-immediate’ Article 4 direction for HMOs in parts of Bootle, Litherland, Seaforth, Waterloo and Southport. The direction removes permitted development rights for the change of use from a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to a use falling within Class C4 (Houses of Multiple Occupation).
The Article 4 Direction was confirmed by Cabinet on 21 June 2018. The Article 4 will be effective from 20 September 2018.
A copy of the Direction, a map defining the areas covered, the supporting evidence for the making of the article 4 direction and confirmation notice can be viewed below.
| Article 4 Direction |  (pdf 1MB) |
| Map to which the Article 4 Direction applies (Southport) | (pdf 6.61MB) |
| Map to which the Article 4 Direction applies (Bootle, Seaforth, Litherland and Waterloo) | (pdf 7.24MB) |
| Supporting evidence for making the Article 4 Direction | (pdf 6.02MB) |
| Notice Confirming Article 4 | (pdf 187KB) |
Aintree
The Council have implemented an Immediate Article 4 Direction in the Aintree area to remove permitted development rights from houses to Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This was considered at Cabinet on 19th June 2025. The Article 4 Direction was made on Wednesday 2nd July 2025 and comes into force immediately.
Comments were recently sought on the Article 4 Direction in Aintree. The Council are currently assessing these comments, and these will be published in due course. The Council will look to confirm the Article 4 Direction later this year.