The Labour Party has said it would scrap a government scheme that allows commercial and residential buildings to be transformed into homes without planning permission
Changes to permitted development laws in England had led to the creation of “slum housing and rabbit hutch flats”, according to the Labour Party.
Shadow housing secretary John Healey said the permitted development rule was being used to avoid providing affordable housing.
In 2013, the government changed planning rules to allow developers to turn offices, warehouses and industrial buildings into residential developments without needing planning permission from the local council, in a bid to increase housebuilding.
Since 2013 permitted development rules have relaxed further, leading to 42,000 new homes being adapted from office spaces.
Healey said the result was the creation of poor quality, “rabbit hutch” flats.
He added: “This Conservative housing free-for-all gives developers a free hand to build what they want but ignore what local communities need.
“Labour will give local people control over the housing that gets built in their area and ensure developers build the low-cost, high-quality homes that the country needs.”
The Conservatives said the plans would “cut housebuilding and put a stop to people achieving home ownership”.
Conservative vice-chairman for local government Marcus Jones said: “We are backing permitted development rights which are converting dormant offices into places families can call home.”
Responding to the announcement, Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “If Labour is going to put more strain on the planning system by scrapping commercial to residential permitted development, it must also think carefully about how planning will be resourced.
“We mustn’t make permitted development synonymous with poor quality as it can create really positive outcomes. In recent years, permitted development rules governing domestic properties have been relaxed, which has made it easier for homeowners to extend their homes without having to go through the rigmarole of a full planning application. These permissions have proved popular among builders and homeowners alike.
“In short, let’s not damn all permitted development. It would also be good to see proposals from Labour regarding how we can more easily convert empty spaces above shops. There are 300,000 to 400,000 new homes which could be created by making use of empty spaces above shops on our high streets.”
