NEW rules that allow empty shops to turn into homes have sparked fears that Oldham’s high street will be sold for slums.

The laws that enable unused shops to convert into homes, without the need for full planning applications, have ignited a furious backlash across Oldham.

The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, who announced the plans yesterday, alleged the proposals will “diversify” town centres and help the high street “adapt and thrive for the future.”

Sean Fielding, the Oldham councillor and Labour and Cooperative candidate for Failsworth West, has hit out the claims and condemned the plans that will “strip power” from local communities and place it firmly in the hands of the “Conservatives’ developer friends”.

Mr Fielding has urged that high quality, affordable homes are instead built on unused brownfield sites.

He said: “Developers donated over £11m to the Tories in 2019/20, and this appears to be the payback.

“The Government seems intent on removing local voices from the equation altogether, which is likely to result in widespread inappropriate development that boosts profits rather than improving our towns and villages.”

Sam Al-Hamdani, the shadow cabinet member for housing and homelessness on Oldham Council, meanwhile slammed the Government for “rushing through” the rules which will result in “a new generation of slums” and people trapped in “substandard accommodation”.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is however insisting that new homes will be subject to high standards, ensuring that they provide adequate natural light and meet space standards.

Conservative leader councillor, Graham Sheldon, said: “The planning laws need a complete shake up.

“Where high streets are no longer viable with the changes in our shopping habits, then it would seem logical to allow these premises to become residential.

“Too many times are we told we need to build, build, build and we are losing special areas to new build.”

Conversely, the Liberal Democrats have called for 100,000 new environmentally friendly social homes to built in the UK every year and want councils to be granted the power to suspend the right to buy.

Oldham council's Liberal Democrat opposition leader, Councillor Howard Sykes, has accused the Conservatives of “falsely blaming” councils for not granting planning permission when its the housing developers that are “failing to deliver”.

Mr Sykes added: “The Conservatives are once more failing the poorest residents of this borough.

“Their plans to reform the planning system will do nothing to alleviate the housing crisis in Oldham borough. 25,357 families are stuck on Oldham Council’s housing waiting list with no-where to go.”