Planning reforms risk future of high street warn Horsham Lib Dems

The White Paper, currently out for consultation, contains plans to ‘widen and change the nature of permitted development’.

This is where building owners can convert properties for other uses without having to seek planning permission.

The Horsham Lib Dems warn that while the document is ‘incredibly vague’, if these rights are expanded it could allow property owners to convert shops and restaurants into buildings for residential use.

This would only reduce supply of floorspace, increase the rent for existing businesses and push further businesses out of the high street.

With fewer shops, they believe high streets will ‘experience irreplaceable long-term job losses and a weaker business centre’.

Matt Allen, the Lib Dems’ shadow cabinet member for the local economy and parking at Horsham District Council, said: “These plans risk the viability of our high street over the long term. Our retail centres in Horsham and the market towns are what makes the district such a wonderful place to live.

“Our high streets are not only cultural centres but provide employment for our residents.

“We’ve seen these rights erode away at the stock of office space in the district and these proposals may well erode our retail sector too.

“The Government must act incredibly carefully; in seeking to resolve the housing crisis they may inadvertently deepen another crisis altogether.”

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