Measures to prevent "unacceptable" developments being built following the government's relaxation of planning law are to be introduced by the council.

The government shake-up, which has just come into force and will last for the next three years, is designed to help boost the economy by cutting red tape, although some critics have dubbed it a "planning free-for-all".

Part of the changes include letting home owners extend the back of their properties by up to eight metres without a formal application, although they still must notify their immediate neighbours and the council.

If their neighbours then object the plans must be subject to further scrutiny and be approved by the council, but if no concerns are raised within 42 days the building work can go ahead.

Back in April all of Redbridge's three main political parties raised concern about the plans, which initially did not require home owners to notify those living next door.

While councillors have welcomed the government's amendments of its original plans, fear remains that property owners still do not need to formally apply for permission if their neighbours do not object.

But Cllr Alex Wilson, the cabinet member for planning, said Redbridge Council had now drawn up measures to intervene in such cases.

He told the Guardian: "Planning is always a balancing act but we felt there needed to be some mechanism to help prevent cases where some might consider plans to be unacceptable but where no objections are raised by the immediate neighbours.

"The government changes do allow the potential for local authorities to step in on a case-by-case basis, so if we're notified of plans which may be unacceptable we can ask them to apply for full planning permission."

Deputy council leader Cllr Ian Bond said: "The changes the government made to their original proposals were welcome, as many councils were concerned that neighbours wouldn't be able to have a say.

"However there is still a worry that some unacceptable developments might get through.

"The time limit for objections is not that long, and there's a risk that if a neighbour is away on holiday or a house is rented to tenants who are not bothered then the chance to object may be missed."

He added that there was also the potential for a development to affect other people in a street even if the immediate neighbour did not object.

Further details of the council's measures are expected to be announced shortly.