STROUD will not benefit from government plans to let takeaways turn into homes without planning permission, a councillor has said.

Earlier in the month high streets minister Jake Berry MP announced his intention to let developers convert fast food premises into residential properties without council consent.

“These reforms to turn home delivery into homes are part of our initiative to make the high street flexible to change without councils causing undue delay,” Mr Berry told the Mail on Sunday.

But Chas Townley, who chairs Stroud District Council's housing committee, thinks towns will lose out if Ebley Mill has less of a say.

He reacted: "The policy may have some attraction nationally but I don't think it will help support Stroud as a commercial centre.

"Personally, I think the focus has to be on seeing what can be done to bring forward major housing developments on sites which offer redevelopment opportunities - like the police station/magistrates court site and, in the longer term, Cheapside car park."

"The planning system is flexible enough to change the use of buildings to meet changing circumstances, and the obsession with deregulation misses the important role that local authorities can play to manage change within town centres."

Instead, cllr Townley thinks Stroud should have more room for shops.

"Clearly we need to take a breath to see what the impact of redevelopment of Merrywalks has on the town, but in my opinion there is a need for more retail space."