Southampton council criticises flats built under permitted development

A council has criticised rules allowing old shops to be converted into homes without receiving full planning permission.

Permitted Development Rights (PDR) make these conversions possible and mean developers do not have to adhere to national minimum space standards.

In Southampton, one development has seen a fireplace shop turned into six flats, each roughly the size of a football goal or car parking space.

The city council says while the country is in a national housing crisis, PDR does not take into account local infrastructure.

Reporter: Shelley Phelps