A COUNCILLOR has hit out at a Government policy that allows developers to turn buildings into flats without the need for planning permission.
Green Councillor Matt Edwards was speaking out about permitted development rights, introduced by the Conservative Government in 2015.
The rule, which allows developers to bypass the usual planning processes when it comes to converting empty office and commercial buildings, has been used to turn numerous former office buildings in Bradford into flats.
But there have been concerns over the quality of these flats, as Bradford Council only has powers to refuse such developments if there are serious environmental or highways concerns over their conversion.
There have been recent tweaks to the rules, allowing the conversion of empty shops as well as office spaces, and a new minimum size on permitted development flats – 37 square metres
Cllr Edwards put forward a motion at a full Council meeting last week calling for the authority to adopt Healthy Homes Principles to its planning system that “would put people and local communities at the heart of decision making.”
He said: “There are far to many houses being built to the wrong standards and in the wrong places.
“The deregulation of the planning system has given more power to developers and less power to the residents we represent.
“Permitted development allows flats to be created with no scrutiny. Some of these flats even have no access to natural light, and some are built on industrial estates. They are unsuitable places for children to grow up.

Government changes mean developers can convert buildings to flats without the need for planning permission
“The consequences will be with us for decades.”
Councillor Debbie Davies (Cons, Baildon) defended the practice, saying: “I believe in balance. Permitted development rights have helped increase the number of much needed affordable homes and revitalised high streets.
“People’s shopping habits have changed enormously, and this helps create new homes in city and town centres. These developments are helping keep the high streets alive.”
She said recent changes to the rules meant flats now needed to have a minimum floor space of 37 square metres. Cllr Davies added: “They can be small, but we need more affordable homes, this should be seen as a positive way to achieve that objective.”
Cllr Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Planning, Transport and Regeneration, said the recent changes to Permitted Developments improved the system somewhat. He added that the Council’s building control department was a tool to help prevent sub standard housing in the District.
Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said: “It seems more like we are hutching these people than housing them.”
She said research had shown the negative impact of living in high rise flats on children, and that many flat developments consigned children to “living on landings.”
Responding to Cllr Davies, Cllr Edwards said: “Permitted development rights isn’t about converting empty shops into quaint town houses, it is about creating low quality housing where developers can make as much money as they can on the back of the vulnerable.”
The Labour Group proposed an amendment to the motion, removing the commitment to the healthy homes principle, but instead agreed to “review” the principles.
After the meeting Cllr Edwards said: “I am disappointed that Bradford Labour decided to water down the proposals and remove the binding commitment to ensure new homes in Bradford are built to the healthy homes principles and instead, the plan will just ‘review’ the principles against the existing policies .
“However they are at least showing willingness to work with councillors from other groups.”