Radical reform that will allow shops and restaurants to open without planning permission 'threatens to suck life out of our high streets' Ministers claim radical measures are necessary to help revive high streets But the changes will spark new confrontation with rural campaigners Planning laws are being torn up in a controversial attempt to revive fading high streets and boost the rural economy. Shops, restaurants, banks and offices will be allowed to open without planning permission to try to encourage new business and kickstart the economy. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will today issue a written ministerial statement which will also change the rules to allow offices to be converted into flats and houses to increase the number of homes. Needs reviving: Ministers are trying to kickstart business in towns like Colchester High Street, in Essex But critics said last night that this could 'suck the life' out of towns and cities. They also warned that changes to allow barns to become shops and cafes will blight the countryside. Ministers claim radical measures are necessary to help revive Britain's ailing high streets, tackle the acute housing shortage and boost rural job creation. But the changes will spark new confrontation with rural campaigners and risk alienating voters who fear a planning free-for-all that could transform their communities. Mr Pickles and Planning Minister Nick Boles are ripping up rules that restrict what buildings can be used for. Under the measures: Underused and empty office blocks will be allowed to switch to residential use without planning permission. A three-year window will initially apply. For the next two years, the rules will be liberalised to allow changes of use between buildings classified as shops, restaurants, takeaways, offices, leisure facilities and assembly areas such as village halls and for financial services. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will issue a written ministerial statement on changes to the planning system Offices, hotels and leisure facilities will be converted permanently into schools as long as transport links are appropriate and noise will not be a problem. Any building can become a state school for up to a year without planning permission, a move that will help teachers and parents to start free schools. Agricultural buildings under 500 square metres in size will be allowed to become shops and restaurants, though those over 150 square metres will still need to seek a form of prior permission to try to ensure they do not cause noise or traffic problems. Mr Pickles said: 'By simplifying the process and relaxing some stringent rules we can provide a helping hand to those eager to boost their high streets or rural communities by cutting the time and costs needed to start up new businesses.' But Shaun Spiers, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, attacked the barn conversion changes. 'To give permission for development in open countryside without proper consideration of the impact it will have is the antithesis of good planning,' he said. Mr Spiers also warned that allowing offices to become homes would drive shoppers from the high street to out of town superstores. 'These plans risk sucking the life out of our towns and cities,' he said.