London Assembly calls for abandonment of shops-to-homes plans

The Assembly warned that the proposed policy, which the Government is currently consulting on, will drive up rents for businesses, damage the high street, undermine the principle of localism and result in sub-standard residential developments.

Under the proposals, premises used as shops or for financial and professional services could be converted into homes without the need for planning permission. The Government said this reflects the advice of Mary Portas' review into the nation's high streets, which recommended more flexibility for change of use to increase footfall and spending.

The motion said that the Assembly recognised the benefits of utilising redundant space, but that "such a move must be done in a plan-led way to avoid destroying the integrity of retail areas in London". It said that, because the change of use could not be applied selectively, thriving shops at "the core of local communities" would not be spared.

“Government plans to allow developers to convert shops into homes without planning permission poses an unnecessary threat to the corner shops and local parades that are at the hearts of our communities," said Assembly Member Navin Shah, who had proposed the motion, in a statement. "This ill-conceived policy risks seriously damaging jobs and quality of new housing across the capital."

“We’ve already seen the Government introduce similar freedoms to convert offices into homes result in a quarter of applications for buildings that were still in use, potentially putting jobs at risk and causing extra costs for businesses forced to move," Shah said.

“We all want to see more homes in London but these proposals will only result in further damage to our high streets and lead to the widespread conversion of small shops into poor quality homes without consultation," said Assembly Member Steve O'Connell.

“Local authorities will have virtually no control over the quality and location of residential development and normal standards simply won’t apply. With residential property worth far more than retail in some parts of London, there will be huge temptations for developers to convert,” he added.

The Government's consultation on the proposals closes next week.