A local authority in central London is to act after a  amendment to the law last year that now allows a shop premise to have a change of A2 use without the need for a planning application.

The council has put in place an Article 4 Direction, meaning that anyone wanting to turn a shop into office premises for financial and professional services will have to put in for planning consent – which could easily be turned down. The change kicks in next month and will also affect recruitment agents.

There are currently 228 estate agency branches in the borough – more than any other London borough.

Deputy council leader Robert Davis said: “In the last year we have seen an increase in the number of estate agents in Westminster that has put the character of some centres at risk.

“These measures will protect variety on our high streets and improve everyone’s shopping experience.

“This is not a blanket restriction. Some financial services, like local bank branches, which provide valuable local services, will be encouraged – but if we do not act now, our high streets are under threat of being over-run.”

London agent Charles McDowell said: “There are too many high street estate agents. I don’t think there would be too many people shedding tears if some disappeared.”

Another agent, Trevor Abrahmsohn, of Glentree, said that if agents were stopped from opening up in an area, they would simply wait “for one of the weaker agents to go”, while Ed Mead said that having a central London office was not the draw it used to be for agents.

He added: “In any case, it has always been tough to get A2 use in Westminster – usually the only way you could get it was give up an A2 premise somewhere else in the borough.”