Developers that want to convert Brent’s office blocks and light industrial space into homes will now have to apply for full planning permission.

Brent Council imposed ‘Article 4’ of the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order (England) 2015 on such projects, which provides greater protection to places of employment.

It means developers will have to secure planning permission if they want to work on such buildings in key employment areas in the borough, including Alperton, Neasden, Wembley and Staples Corner.

Previously, developers could bypass certain aspects of the council’s normal planning process thanks to relaxed government laws.

But Cllr Shama Tatler, responsible for planning and regeneration at Brent Council, explained that it activated its ‘opt-out’ clause to protect business in the borough.

She said: “Before we activated this opt-out, developers could change properties into residential accommodation in a piecemeal way, without full planning checks on the quality and design of the accommodation, the impact on the local area, the number of affordable homes being provided and without consideration to the loss of valued businesses which provide jobs for local people.

“As every planning application is considered on its merits, it won't stop the new homes that we need from being built but it will allow us to ensure that the new homes meet our standards, that local issues are taken into account, that local people are properly consulted and that we ensure suitable levels of affordable accommodation are secured in each scheme.

“By going the planning route, we also have the opportunity to weigh up the economic benefits and disadvantages of each scheme, to see if the loss of local employment space is acceptable and what the wider benefits might be for Brent residents.”