Takeaway restaurants will be allowed to be converted into homes without planning permission under government plans to reclaim Britain’s high streets from fast-food shops.
Jake Berry, the high streets minister, said that he wanted to bring the premises in line with office buildings and warehouses, which are already allowed to be converted into residential accommodation without council consent.
He said he believed that the new rules would help to rid town centres of “noisy and smelly” outlets, often the scene of antisocial behaviour, and at the same time help to ease the housing crisis.
