English home builders could be forced to meet national space standards in new build homes under proposals floated by the government.
However Mortgage Advice Bureau new homes director Andrew Frankish said the issue of space was a complicated question: “The quality of living is important but the reality is if that report than has further recommendations for developers it will undoubtedly have a knock on effect in costs.”
While there was no point building houses nobody wanted, property developers already faced the burden of meeting energy efficiency requirements, he added.
While the government would prefer to promote consistent space labelling during sales, many local authorities have already introduced space standards for builders.
A Department of Communities and Local Government consultation published today said the impact of space standards on the level of construction needed to be monitored: “Space standards should therefore only be applied in conjunction with access standards, and where the costs and impacts are thoroughly tested in a transparent and challengeable manner and subject to a robust viability assessment taking into account other costs and pressures on development.”
While supported by affordable housing groups, the introduction of space standards would be resisted by property developers, the consultation noted.
On the issue of natural light in new build homes, the government suggested there was insufficient evidence to act.
Studies have suggested the size of new build homes has reduced over time and that England has some of the smallest housing in Europe.
Other proposals outlined in the consultation included encouraging the inclusion of cycle storage in housing development plans, raising security standards in new build homes and monitoring energy efficiency.
