RIBA president Ben Derbyshire has attacked the government’s plans to further relax a planning rule that he warns has already led to a “drastic decline” in housing standards.

It would lead to “shoddy, small and inadequate homes”, he said.

The government is proposing to allow more commercial spaces, including hot food takeaways, to be converted into homes without a planning application.

The reforms would increase the volume of development that can go ahead without the scrutiny of local planning authorities.

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