Sian Berry AM has welcomed the Government’s decision to require prior approval before launderettes can be converted to residential use, and to allow local authorities to retain launderettes where they believe such services are still required in the local area. Berry had campaigned in recent months against the earlier proposals to introduce ‘permitted development’ rights without any local authority controls.
Sian commented,
I’m really glad that the government has left councils with some power to protect launderettes. Most of us need our local launderettes from time to time, and I relied completely on mine for more than five years when I lived in a flat that was too small for a washing machine.
It would have been better if the Government had dropped their proposals completely. I’m still very worried about its decision to allow property developers to snap up light industrial sites for housing. Too often these are full of thriving businesses which are forced to move away or close down. We need more homes, but councils also need the powers to provide the right balance of homes, commercial space and essential local services.
Notes to editors
The Government set out its response to the consultation in the following document: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/523379/160513_Govt_report_on_responses_PDRs.pdf