Housing Standards

  Contains Options 

In 2015 the Government introduced national internal space and accessibility standards for new homes. These include internal space standards for the overall floorspace and internal dimensions of homes and key rooms and for storage. Since April 2021, all new homes delivered through permitted development rights must meet the national space standards. Local authorities can choose to implement these for new residential development requiring planning permission.  

The council is proposing to adopt minimum standards for all new homes including conversions of existing properties. It does not apply to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as standards including room sizes are already in place. It does not apply to purpose built Co-Living schemes that include shared communal spaces, however the policy requires these schemes to provide sufficient space. A proportion of all new residential development must be accessible to people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users.