Boris Johnson has revealed he will oppose major planning reforms which critics say pose a “horrendous” threat to London’s economic recovery.
Parties on the London Assembly had united in warning him how hundreds of jobs were at risk from changes allowing the conversion of offices into homes without planning permission.
One member claimed these have seen one borough lose 20 per cent of its office space. Ministers currently consulting on making the reforms permanent say the changes are needed to help tackle the housing crisis.
The Mayor said after being questioned at the Assembly that he would be making a “vigorous case for the retention of business space”.
He went on: “I support a number of changes the Government is making to the wider planning system but I’m likely to object to this proposal. We need to protect London’s industrial space.”
There have been claims that the reforms, announced last year, have already seen a huge loss in employment space as landlords capitalise on higher residential rents. Labour member Nicky Gavron said: “This is a huge threat to London’s economic recovery.
“What is at stake is every single office space and warehouse, big or small.”
Labour colleague Andrew Dismore said: “The impact is horrendous.”
Conservative member Tony Arbour told the Standard today: “The Government was seeking a quick fix to the housing crisis but didn’t think through the huge unintended consequences.”
Housing minister Brandon Lewis said the changes were providing “badly needed homes”.
