- RIBA campaign on the nationwide introduction of minimum space standards for new build homes has convinced the Government to take action
- Property developers will be required to stop building shoe-box new build homes across the country
- RIBA calls on all locally accountable Councillors to enforce new housing space standards
- New hope that UK might lose unenviable position of building Europe’s smallest homes
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has convinced the Government to introduce a new space standard requirement across the whole of England to ensure that the millions of new homes being planned and built are fit for purpose and able to meet the requirements of the people who live in them.
The UK has the smallest new build homes in the whole of Western Europe; smaller than countries including The Netherlands which has less space and even higher population density levels. RIBA research has revealed Yorkshire for example, a county with one of the lowest population densities in England, has been building the smallest new build homes in England. 80% of the public would be more likely to choose a home that meets minimum space standards
Introducing a minimum space standard has been a major campaign for RIBA and around 2,850 people joined our call for the introduction of this standard during a consultation in 2013 – this is a huge turnout for a response to a Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) technical consultation. Thanks to pressure from a RIBA campaign which was supported by thousands of people, including Kevin McCloud and Stephen Fry – the Government has said it intends to introduce minimum space standards for ALL new build homes across England.
Local authorities will be able to sign up to a national minimum space standards for new build homes to ensure that any proposals for new housing in their area is required to meet this national standard and ensure tiny shoe box homes are a thing of the past.
RIBA President Stephen Hodder said:
“Our RIBA campaign gave people a voice on new housing. They told us new homes were too small and lacked enough space for them and their families. We are delighted that the Government has recognised the urgent need to stem the flow of poor quality housing that is blighting the UK by introducing a standard. The battle to shed our position as building the smallest homes in Western Europe is not over. RIBA urges all locally accountable Councillors to listen to their electorate and introduce a minimum space standard in their area.”
RIBA urges all English Councils to sign up to the new space standard to ensure that any new build homes in their areas are fit for purpose.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- For further press information contact Howard Crosskey in the RIBA Press Office: 0759 091 0341 howard.crosskey@riba.org
- The Government has said it intends to bring in a national minimum space standard for all new build homes in England and has just finished a public consultation on housing standards – to view a summary of RIBA’s response to the consultation visit: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Contactus/NewsAndPress/Membernews/PolicyNews/2014/RIBAwelcomesspacestandard.aspx
- Other reports published by the RIBA reveal that space and light are the top concerns for consumers choosing a new home, and that the public believe new homes are too small. See our research reports and the Future Homes Commission report on the dedicated campaign website www.behomewise.co.uk
- The Government announced a Review of Housing Standards in October 2012, aimed at rationalising current housing standards
- * Standards only currently exist in London and for new English homes that are publicly funded (e.g. some affordable homes built through HCA funding)
- The National Planning Policy Framework (2011) specifies that ““Local authorities should identify the size, type, tenure and range of housing that is required in particular locations, reflecting local demand” – for more detail on the NPPF visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6077/2116950.pdf
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members www.architecture.com
- Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA
Posted on Thursday 13th November 2014
