Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced plans to introduce new planning controls at key business sites across the borough.

The measures would mean permission is needed before commercial buildings can be converted into homes. It would see Article 4 Directions introduced at sites including Chester Business Park and Sealand Industrial Estate, removing automatic rights to convert commercial buildings into homes without going through the planning process.

A recent report by Iceni Projects Ltd considered the evidence for introducing Article 4 Directions, which would allow the council's planning committee to consider proposals before decisions are made.

The council said the measures are aimed at protecting employment space and ensuring businesses continue to have access to suitable offices, factories and warehouses.

Cllr Christine Warner, cabinet member for Homes and Planning, said: "We are taking these measures to protect our business areas, and protect where people work.

"It's a very targeted approach, we have identified the areas most at risk of losing office, factory or warehouse space in a number of sites across the borough."

The employment areas identified in the report currently support an estimated 9,564 jobs.

The council said changes to national permitted development rules, which came into effect on 5 March 2024, have increased the potential for commercial buildings to be converted into residential use without the need for a full planning application.

It warned that if the planning process is bypassed, it would have limited influence over the type of homes delivered.

The council said office-to-residential conversions can often result in a concentration of smaller studio or one-bedroom properties, rather than homes that meet wider local housing needs.

It also said developments delivered through permitted development rights would not be required to contribute towards local infrastructure, facilities or mitigation measures in the same way as schemes that go through the planning process.

Based on the analysis undertaken, the report recommends Article 4 Directions at Chester Business Park, Gadbrook Park and Chester West/Sealand Industrial Estate.

The council said the move comes as the borough is expected to see employment increase by around 13,600 jobs across all sectors over the next 20 years, with growth particularly reliant on the success of office-based businesses.

Jane Hough, Deputy Director of BIDs for Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside and Chair of Cheshire Central, said protecting employment sites was important for the future of the local economy.

"These employment areas are the backbone of our local economy, providing jobs, supporting supply chains and attracting businesses to invest in our communities," she said.

"By safeguarding commercial and industrial space, we can ensure there remains sufficient land and premises for businesses to grow and thrive, helping to secure employment opportunities and economic prosperity for years to come."

The council's Cabinet will be updated on the proposed measures on Wednesday 15 July.

Other employment areas identified as potentially affected by the changes include Cheshire Oaks Business Park, Lostock Triangle (Cheshire Business Park), Barbour Square in Tattenhall, Rossmore Business Village, Portal Business Centre in Tarporley, Chester Gates (Telford Court) and Chowley Oak.

Article 4 Directions do not prevent development from taking place, but would mean proposals to convert the affected commercial buildings into homes would need to be assessed through the normal planning process.