Gosport council opposes government plans for empty shops to become extra housing

Since December, local councils have been consulted by the government on new legal rights for developers.

These rights could allow developers to change the use of buildings from commercial or business properties into housing without any legal opposition.

But councillors fear this could spell disaster for the future of high streets and other economic infrastructure projects.

At Gosport Borough Council’s economic development board, politicians from across the political spectrum voiced their concerns about the proposals.

Conservative councillor for Lee West, Cllr John Beavis MBE, said: ‘I think we are all concerned about the long-term future of our high streets.

‘The recent news of the Debenhams closures plus the fall of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia empire and losing independent traders is a great worry to us.

‘The proposal to expand the scope of permitted development to high street shops is not the answer – it takes away local control of shopping development and the right of local people to influence this.’

Labour councillor for Town, Cllr June Cully, added: ‘We’ve had quite an increase in residential development around the town, and already have a lot more planned.

‘What we need are schools, chemists, opticians, more parking – the list goes on.’

SEE ALSO: Gosport council leader Mark Hook elected as the town's mayor

Cllr Cully added that more homes in previous commercial units would mean fewer jobs to go around, and subsequently more people driving out of Gosport for work.

Conservative councillor for Lee East, Cllr Piers Bateman, described the proposals as ‘appalling’ and said he was willing to go toe-to-toe with his Westminster counterparts on the matter.

He said: ‘We need to hit the government between the eyes and express a deep, profound concern at the nature of this white paper.

‘I’m appalled by it, and make no concession to the face that it's a Conservative government putting this forward.

‘We have 22 shopping zones within our town and they are the nucleus of so many communities – this white paper, as it stands, would cut right through them.’

The board voted unanimously to stand against the consultation, and this move was approved at full council last week.

With the consultation now at an end, feedback is being analysed in Westminster, with an outcome to be announced in due course.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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