Estate agents will be blocked from “overrunning” high streets in a council crackdown that could be followed by others.
Westminster in central London said it was taking action after the number of estate agents operating in the borough jumped by more than a quarter last year, putting the character of some areas at risk.
Under the new rules, the council will from next month require planning permission to change a property’s use from retail to professional services. Robert Davis, deputy leader of the council, said: “These measures will protect variety on our high streets. This is not a blanket restriction. Some financial services, like local bank branches, which provide valuable local services, will be encouraged, but if we do not act now, our high streets are under threat of being overrun.”
Westminster already uses planning rules to keep businesses in a certain area, for example to protect tailors in Savile Row or medical clinics in and around Harley Street.
Hoe Street in Walthamstow, east London, was found to have the highest proportion of estate agents in the country, in nearly one in three of its shops.