Planning free-for-all ‘could pose threat to historic city centres’
A PLANNING ‘free-for-all’ which allows flats to be built in conservation areas could threaten the viability of historic city centres like York’s, a senior councillor has warned.
Andrew Waller of City of York Council described the new laws – which allow developers to turn shops, post offices and pharmacies into apartments without needing planning permission – as a “bit of a blunt instrument”.
And the Liberal Democrat councillor’s concerns were echoed by heritage charity the National Trust, which said it was “disappointed” the new permitted development rights (PDR) rules would apply in protected ‘conservation areas’ which include the centre of York, with its medieval alleys.
As part of the Government’s reforms, full planning applications will no longer be required to convert unused retail premises for residential use. Restrictions will also be relaxed so that empty shops can be turned into cafes or restaurants more easily.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said that converting unused commercial buildings into homes will encourage more people to live near high streets and use the areas for both work and leisure.
He said: “By diversifying our town and city centres and encouraging the conversion of unused shops into cafes, restaurants or even new homes, we can help the high street to adapt and thrive for the future.”
City of York Council stressed the need for “special consideration” of conservation areas within the city amid warnings that reforms to the way developments are approved should “not be at the expense of public involvement” and must still allow councillors to represent the views of communities.
Andrew Waller, the authority’s Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, highlighted the council purchase of the historic York street The Shambles in the 1920s to stop them being redeveloped.
He told The Yorkshire Post: “Cities like York benefit from having had strong planning control in the past – which has prevented some of the changes that had been planned from taking place. There needs to be the space for considered and sensitive regeneration but not a free-for-all that could result in some changes
that don’t help in the long run.”
Ingrid Samuel, heritage director at the National Trust told The Yorkshire Post the organisation was “disappointed to see these changes”.
She said councils will be “practically powerless” to prevent business premises being turned into poor quality housing that damages local character and is in unsustainable locations.
She added: “We’re particularly disappointed that these changes will also apply in Conservation Areas, where extra care should be taken to safeguard local history and beauty.”
In York, Coun Waller said “sensitive regeneration” which recognises the heritage of the city would be a “welcome” positive, but warned there was a risk of “out of town developers” trying to maximise profits due to the planning changes.
“It is about recognising there are ways of working which will enhance the historic core of the city but potentially there are risks that there is an out of town developer who is just trying to maximise their investment and not that bothered about the impact it will have on the people who live there.”
He added that it would be “vital” to retain localised powers.
Coun Waller said: “If an entire building switched from being retail use to solely residential then you would lose the ground floor retail opportunities..It’s a bit of a blunt instrument.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said a number of measures were in place to protect green spaces, as well as to ensure all developers deliver high-quality, sustainable homes. They added overhauling the “outdated planning system” will give communities more control from the start of the planning process.