Advertisement

Government cracks down on 'rabbit hutch homes'

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick - Andy Rain /REX 
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick - Andy Rain /REX

The Government is looking to clamp down on so-called "rabbit hutch housing" with new building standards.

Homes built using Permitted Development Rights will need to have at least 37m² of floorspace for a new one bed flat with a shower-room, or 39m2 with a bathroom, under new standards announced on Wednesday.

It follows concerns that unscrupulous developers were taking advantage of the lower scrutiny of not having to go through the planning process to deliver tiny homes unfit for living.

Permitted development rights allow developers to bypass planning permission if, for example, they are a converting or extending of an existing building, such as shops or offices.

The Government says the freedom has delivered more than 60,000 homes over the last four years. It has recently expanded the rights, despite concerns that they can lead to substandard homes.

Announcing the new minimum space requirements, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: "The pandemic has further highlighted the importance of having somewhere secure and comfortable to live.

"While most developers deliver good homes and do the right thing, I’m tackling the minority of developers abusing the system by announcing that new homes delivered will have to meet space standards.”

The Federation of Master Builders welcomed the changes. Brian Berry, chief executive, said:  “The introduction of new space standards will stop the creation of homes unfit for human habitation.

"Everyone deserves the right to a decent home and I’m grateful that the Housing Secretary has listened to the calls from a range of organisations, including the FMB, and that a loophole for unscrupulous builders has now been closed."

At a glance | Do you need planning permission?
At a glance | Do you need planning permission?

The Local Government Association also welcomed the changes but said concerns remained over the impact of permitted development rights.

Councillor David Renard, housing spokesman, said: "An independent report commissioned by the Government found permitted development conversions mostly avoid making any contribution to local areas, fail to meet adequate design standards and often create worse quality residential environments.

“It is vital that councils and local communities have a voice in the planning process and are able to oversee all local developments."