Barnet’s political leaders have reacted to a proposed overhaul of the planning system that could see their oversight of applications diminish.

Proposals to streamline planning in the biggest shake-up of the system for decades were published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on August 6.

Under the proposals, planning applications based on pre-approved ‘design codes’ in areas earmarked for growth would be given automatic outline permission. Areas designated for ‘renewal’ would see a presumption in favour of some developments.

While residents would have a say in the development of design codes and the location of ‘growth’, ‘renewal’ and ‘protection’ areas, the changes could lead to less scrutiny of individual applications by councillors and members of the public.

Meanwhile, changes to permitted development rights will allow people to add two storeys to existing post-war homes without full planning permission. They will also allow developers to knock down unused buildings and replace them with housing without full permission.

Labour leader Cllr Barry Rawlings (Coppetts) branded the proposed changes a “Tory development charter”, claiming the borough already has the second-highest housing target in England following a 75 per cent increase imposed by the Conservative Government.

Cllr Rawlings said: “These new plans will drive a coach and horses through local accountability and side-line our community without providing the genuinely affordable housing and funding for infrastructure Barnet so badly needs.

“It will mean even more massive tower blocks – and with Government proposed amendments to the London Plan that dilute protections of the green belt and metropolitan open land, could also mean development on green belt and other green spaces.

“Planning under this Tory Government is a disaster, and our once green and pleasant borough will be ruined under these proposals.

“We challenge the Barnet Tories to join us in vociferously opposing these plans – anything less will be a betrayal of their local election manifesto which purported to be against overdevelopment.”

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Gabriel Rozenberg (Garden Suburb) said he was “deeply concerned” about the impact the proposals will have on “our suburban way of life”.

Cllr Rozenberg said: “While many of the details are vague, they add up to an attack on the planning system and are a recipe for potentially unsafe and ugly housing.

“Look at what’s proposed: the Tory Government wants to allow homeowners to build up to two storeys above their properties, as long as neighbours approve. These new ‘permitted development rights’ are a recipe for monstrous and potentially unsafe house extensions. These eyesores will inevitably then be subdivided up into precarious HMOs (houses of multiple occupation).

“The Government also wants to let a wider range of commercial buildings change to residential use – without the need for a planning application. The inevitable result will be rabbit-hutch flats that fail to hit minimum standards.”

Cllr Rozenberg said the local Conservatives should “come off the fence and fight for the preservation of crucial planning powers that keep our suburbs strong” – or voters “will not forgive them”.

Conservative leader Cllr Dan Thomas commented: “I welcome proposals to streamline the planning process, which in many cases is needlessly cumbersome. I have some concerns, and I’m in the process of understanding the detail and discussing with local MPs and Government.

“As the Labour Group has claimed that they are ‘vociferously opposing these plans’, it would be helpful if they also lobbied Sadiq Khan who is busy proposing monstrosities in outer London boroughs.

“At this early stage in the process, we will continue to communicate our concerns to the Government. I do not think kneejerk, megaphone diplomacy at this stage is helpful, and I will represent the people of Barnet to the Government, pushing for a streamlined planning process that will protect our borough, its businesses and its residents.”

When the proposed changes were announced, ministers said they would “transform a system that has long been criticised for being too sluggish in providing housing for families, key workers and young people”.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Our complex planning system has been a barrier to building the homes people need; it takes seven years to agree local housing plans and five years just to get a spade in the ground.

“These once-in-a generation reforms will lay the foundations for a brighter future, providing more homes for young people and creating better quality neighbourhoods and homes across the country.

“We will cut red tape, but not standards, placing a higher regard on quality, design and the environment than ever before. Planning decisions will be simple and transparent, with local democracy at the heart of the process.

“As we face the economic effects of the pandemic, now is the time for decisive action and a clear plan for jobs and growth. Our reforms will create thousands of jobs and lessen the dominance of big builders in the system, providing a major boost for small building companies across the country.”

The Government’s Planning for the Future consultation is available here.