THERE are fears that further loosening of planning laws could lead to more "poorly planned" flat conversions in Bradford city centre.

This week the Government announced changes to national planning rules that would allow developers to convert more commercial buildings into flats without the need to apply for planning permission.

Previous "permitted development" rules allow developers to convert empty office space to flats without the need to submit a planning application.

On Wednesday Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced further relaxations of planning rules so any commercial building, including shops, that has been empty for three months or more can be converted to housing without the need for permission.

A change to the permitted development policy announced last year means that from next week and flats created through this process have to measure at least 37 square metres.

Recent permitted development conversions in Bradford have seen flats as small at 18 square metres created in former office buildings.

The permitted development process has proved controversial in Bradford.

It has meant Bradford Council, the body that all planning applications usually go through, has no power to stop the conversion of offices into flats.

Council says it has ‘no control’ over quality of flats created through permitted development

The Government has said the new rules will help cut red tape for developers and "revitalise" struggling high streets.

The changes will also make it easier to convert empty businesses to cafes or restaurants.

Council's can only stop permitted development applications if there are concerns over flooding, highways or environmental health concerns like lack of light to flats or noise.

On the news that the rules are being expanded to all commercial businesses. a spokesman from Bradford Civic Society said: "The Civic Society welcomes some elements of these new rules.

"For example, measures that facilitate the conversion of floors above city-centre shops into residential use should help give high streets a boost, and this is particularly important for Bradford.

"However, we are concerned that the weakening of planning procedures will lead to poorly conceived, inadequate projects as in Little Germany, where there continues to be a proliferation of poorly planned, cheaper conversions."