Planning rules that have just come into force in England risk draining the life from high streets.
That's according to the Local Government Association, which is warning that government's attempt to breathe new life into empty buildings by removing safeguards on how commercial properties are used risks doing the opposite. Instead, it says, it could lead to more high streets being over-run with payday loan companies and the like.

Business owners and developers can now change the use of certain buildings from one type of business to another for up to two years - for instance, a greengrocer's could become a betting shop - without the need for planning permission or public consultation.

But the LGA, which speaks on behalf of more than 370 councils in England and Wales, is calling on government to let local areas decide for themselves where it would be beneficial to relax planning rules. It says the key to reviving high streets is encouraging the opening of businesses that residents actually want and need there.

Cllr Mike Jones, chairman of the LGA's environment and housing board, said: "People tell us that they're fed up of having their local high streets filled with betting shops and payday loan companies.

"We've been clear that if we're to get people back out shopping in their local town centres, we need to give them more say on what type of businesses and shops open there. Instead...they will have less.

"There's a very real danger that, in chasing a short-term boost, this panic measure could end up creating real problems in our high streets and doing lasting damage to our town and cities. This could potentially drain the life from our high streets."

He went on: "We desperately need to boost struggling high streets and help new businesses take over empty buildings, but a blanket national policy is not the answer. Most people would be more inclined to visit their local high streets if they saw a resurgence in the sort of cherished local, good quality shops, restaurants and businesses which can be at the very heart of communities.

"Instead, this blanket national policy will make it easier than ever for high streets to become ghettoes for clusters of here-today, gone-tomorrow money lenders and betting shops."