The council would be left "shortchanged" unless it opposes legislation which would allow developers to turn offices into flats without planning permission.

This is the view of West Hendon councillor Adam Langleben, who brought up the issue at a full council meeting on Tuesday evening.

He tabled a motion calling on the leader of the council to make representations to the Government, which is consulting on making the permitted development rights permanent, setting out Barnet Borough Council’s opposition.

It also stated that the rules should only apply to empty office blocks.

A total of 21 councillors voted for the motion, and one against. The rest abstained.

Cllr Langleben said: “The motion is vital. There are 8,365 rateable premises in our borough. How many more need to go? The administration needs to take responsibility.”

More than 100 businesses and charities in Premier House, in Station Road, Edgware, are in the process of moving out of the building, after plans were made to turn the offices into flats.

The council agreed a change of use request by Reichmann Properties after new laws introduced last year left it unable to refuse the appeal.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Langleben said: “The hope is that the council join other councils and the Mayor of London in opposing this proposal, which will make the borough lose any control over converted offices.

“The plight of tenants in Premier House is severe. We have managed to find a new home for one of the charities, but many still haven’t found a home.

“The council will be left short-changed without the contributions from business rates. There would be a big problem.”

Edgware Councillor Brian Gordon, who voted against the motion, argued that the ability to convert into flats was a positive thing. He said conversion was likely to lead to a big gain, as new flats would generate more council tax.

Cllr Gordon said: “The main thrust of this motion is that the new permitted development law is bad and damages businesses, but I have to disagree with that.

“My view is that we need less planning legislation, not more. The presumption of planning should be in favour of saying yes whenever possible and only when there’s good reason should we say no.

“Business thrives best when there are fewer laws, less bureaucracy, less government.”