Changes to planning rules in England that came into effect on 1 August could see up to 80% of shops and other commercial premises on high streets being replaced by housing, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has warned.

A group of MPs has called on the government to pause any further extensions of permitted development rights (PDRs) for change of use commercial buildings to residential until it has conducted a review of PDRs’ role in the wider planning system.

Professional bodies have sounded the alarm over government plans to relax planning laws to make it easier for commercial premises to be converted into homes.