By Richard Johnstone | 30 May 2013
Planning relaxations that come into effect in England today will ‘significantly reduce’ councils' ability to decide on important developments in their area, the Local Government Association has warned.
The changes allow property owners and developers to change the designated use of certain buildings for up to two years without planning permission. This means premises currently being used as shops could be taken over by payday loan companies or betting firms without approval from town halls, the LGA said.
The reforms, announced by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles on May 9, are intended to ensure empty buildings can be easily brought back into use. Changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995 also allow offices to be converted to homes without public consultation.
Announcing the changes, Pickles said that removing restrictions would provide ‘a helping hand to those eager to boost their high streets’.
He added: ‘There is huge untapped potential in the many disused existing buildings we have and we’re determined that every one of them is put to good use.’
However, the LGA said removing safeguards could lead to high streets being ‘over-run’ with betting shops and payday loan companies.
Mike Jones, chair of the LGA’s environment and housing board, said there was ‘a very real danger’ that the changes, which are intended to boost economic growth, would cause ‘lasting damage’ to town and cities.
‘Planning controls are not there to make life difficult for new businesses but as a form of democratic quality control which ensures new shops and businesses will be good for the area and the people who live there. Councils are currently approving more planning applications than ever before,’ he added.
‘Converting offices into flats, cafes into betting shops or businesses into schools can have a huge impact on the character of local areas and people will rightly feel that they should be entitled to have a say.’