FEARS have been raised that more betting shops and payday loan companies could set up on the high street because of relaxed planning laws.

As of yesterday owners and developers no longer need permission to change the use of certain buildings from one type of business to another for up to two years.

It comes on the back of a recommendation by retail guru Mary Portas and means that there could be repeats of the furore over betting shop Betfred moving into the former Santander bank premises off The Square in Bournemouth town centre.

The shop was granted permission earlier this month, with licensing chiefs admitting there was little they could do to stop it – and it could now become easier for others to do the same.

The changes have been criticised by the Local Government Association, which says it will mean residents have less say on changes and risk “draining the life from high streets”.

Nigel Hedges, chairman of Bournemouth Town Centre Management Board, said it had been pushing for ‘zoning’ of the town centre to spread different types of businesses around.

“You will get bookmakers and pawnbrokers and pop-up shops and it’s a duty of care to our shoppers to give them a balanced choice,” he added.

Bill Cotton, executive director at Bournemouth council, said the priority was to promote investment in the high street and “not all the ramifications of these new changes are clear”.

He said the council was also concerned that offices could become residential properties without the need for permission.

Planning minister Nick Boles said councils “already have the ability to tackle the cumulative impact of development” under existing legislation.

Cllr Dave Smith, Bournemouth’s cabinet member for communities and planning, said councillors looked hard at how Betfred could be turned down but found nothing in legislation or the licensing act.

He said he shared the LGA’s concerns and added: “I believe that the way to rejuvenate our high street is for landlords to be much more realistic in the rents that they’re asking and business rates to be recalculated to reflect today’s tough economic climate.”