A COUNCILLOR has hit out at the government for allowing office blocks to be turned into flats without planning permission.

Colchester councillor Martin Goss says changes in planning laws which allow office blocks to be converted into flats without planning permission need to be scrapped.

The Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Colchester made his call following news the three-storey Seatrade House in North Station Road has been bought for more than £1 million and was to be converted into 15 flats.

He said: “I am not opposed to the principle of empty office blocks being converted into housing.

“What I am saying is they should be subject to planning consent. This is not only fair on those who will be living in the flats, but also the community in which such office block conversions are located.”

Concerns were raised over the office block which is near North Primary School, as residents felt the flats will overlook the day nursery just a few feet away.

Mr Goss said: “I understand Essex County Council had been alerted to buying Seatrade House because the building would have made welcome additional space for the school and the car park would have significantly eased parking pressures which the school has.

“Unfortunately, such is the high value for properties that can be converted to residential use without the need for change of planning use, what would have been a much welcome addition for the benefit of the school meant the price was way above the value of the building as an office block or for educational use.”

The Gazette contacted the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for a comment, but did not receive a response.