PROPERTY experts and campaigners have criticised plans to allow parts of Brighton to be exempt from planning laws allowing offices to be turned into homes.

Permitted development rights were introduced by the Government last year to free up developers to convert office space for residential use.

But Brighton and Hove City Council raised concerns the law would lead to a loss of office space and harm business.

Under the proposals recommended to the council’s policy and resources committee, Central Brighton, New England Quarter, the London Road area, Edward Street Quarter and City Park would be exempt.

A stretch of Western Road from Regent Hill to Holland Road including the Brighton Conference Centre area will not be exempt following an earlier consultation.

Chris Oakley, of Oakley Commercial, said clients were already being frustrated by the council blocking or delaying attempted change of use.

He said: “I cannot understand why the council think they are unique and should have an exemption from this when in other localities in the south-east with similar issues to Brighton, market forces and the planning system are being allowed to work together as was intended.

“It is very difficult to encourage investors into this city because of the issues of dealing with the planning regime and the delays in bringing forward major projects through the planning system that have been witnessed in Brighton.

“In my view Brighton and Hove is only reinforcing the notion that the city is closed to regeneration.”

Mike Jones, of Michael Jones commercial property, said: “The Lloyds Bank tower in Worthing was granted under these rights and it has brought investment into an otherwise unutilised building.

“Good quality offices won’t be suitable for conversion.”

Selma Montford, of the Brighton Society, said the London Road area should not have been included.

She said: “We are very concerned. Preston Road isn’t a good place for office development and there’s lots of empty space.

“Employers and staff don’t like it because it’s away from the town centre.

“But it’s a good site for residential because of the lovely park.”

According to the council documents: “An unmanaged loss of offices could have a substantial adverse economic consequence to the city economy in terms of business competitiveness, jobs growth, undermining investment in business space and in particular a harmful impact on burgeoning growth sectors.

“This is not considered to be offset by the positive benefits the new rights would bring in terms of delivering new housing.”