Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 29 January and the statement that "new homes in England delivered through any Permitted Development Right must meet this [the Nationally Described Space Standard] space standard as a minimum", why all new homes developed in England do not have to meet the Nationally Described Space Standard.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to PQHL12277 and note that the draft National Model Design Code was published on 30 January 2021, and we are seeking views on its content.
We agree that ensuring a good standard and quality of internal space is important to achieving well-designed homes for all, as emphasised in our National Design Guide.
Space standards are an optional technical standard in our national planning policies and local authorities can choose to adopt them locally, if they can demonstrate need and that there will be no negative impact on viability.
As my Noble Lord is aware, we announced last year that all new homes in England delivered through any Permitted Development Right must meet this space standard as a minimum. This will apply to proposals from 6 April 2021.
Looking to the future, as noted above we recently published the draft National Model Design Code, in which we intend to emphasise the ingredients for well-designed homes, including the application of the Nationally Described Space Standard that can be included in local design codes, guides and policies.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 19 January (HL11725), why have they not required local authorities to include the Nationally Described Space Standard in local planning policies.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
We agree that ensuring a good standard and quality of internal space is important to achieving well-designed homes for all, as emphasised in our National Design Guide.
Space standards are an optional technical standard in our national planning policies and local authorities can choose to adopt them locally, if they can demonstrate need and that there will be no negative impact on viability.
As my noble Lord is aware, we announced last year that all new homes in England delivered through any Permitted Development Right must meet this space standard as a minimum. This will apply to proposals from 6 April 2021.
Looking to the future, in the forthcoming National Model Design Code we intend to emphasise the ingredients for well-designed homes, including the application of the Nationally Described Space Standard that can be included in local design codes, guides and policies.
Asked by: Lord Crisp (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce the same space standards for all new housing as those agreed for housing constructed under Permitted Development Rights.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
We agree that the provision of adequate living space is vital to delivering healthy housing. The importance of this has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We recognise in our National Design Guide the need for well-designed, healthy homes to provide a good standard and quality of internal space. And within national planning policy and guidance we set out that local authorities have the option to include the Nationally Described Space Standard in local planning policies, subject to demonstrating viability and need.
Looking to the future, the forthcoming National Model Design Code will emphasise the ingredients for well-designed homes, including good space standards, that can be included in local design guides.