Earlier this year (2020) Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that new homes delivered through permitted development rights would have to comply with the Nationally Described Space Standards.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations, as laid before Parliament on 11 November 2020, ensures that, from 6 April 2021, new housing development delivered through permitted development rights will have to comply with the Nationally Described Space Standards, issued 27 March 2015, seeking to avoid some of the unsatisfactory dwelling units created via permitted development.
Whilst the minimum standards are far from generous (37m2 for a one bed flat with shower room) they at least set an enforceable minimum standard.
David Jones Head of Planning at Evans Jones commented
“The setting of minimum space standards is welcomed, this however will not impact those flats which have already been created which fall short of the space standards, and some developers may seek to rush through schemes prior to the April deadline to avoid complying with the mandatory standards”
I question whether delivering space standards via the planning system is an appropriate legal mechanism for imposing minimum space standards. Personally, I consider that the building control system provides a more appropriate means of delivering/monitoring minimum housing standards and checking compliance."
David Jones is MD/Head of Planning at Evans Jones Ltd. If you would like any further information on permitted development or other planning matters, contact David on 0800 0014090 or email david.jones@evansjones.co.uk