Agenda item

The Special Projects Planner outlined details of a report seeking approval for the Council to adopt minimum standards for space in new homes based upon the Government’s nationally described space standards (2015) and to withdraw the room size element of the Council’s 1992 ‘Guidelines for Flat Conversions’.  The primary factor for introduction of the space standards for new homes was to ensure that there was a national standards for new builds as opposed to local varying standards. Members were informed that if adopted, the new standards would be introduced immediately and applicable for all new applications received from November 2018; with the exception where applicants had not been asked to comply with the new standards as part of pre-application advice issued prior to 1^st January 2019.

The Committee considered details of the report and welcomed the proposals as set out in the report.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Government’s current nationally described space standards (2015 with 2016 update) as supplementary planning guidance when considering new planning applications for new homes be adopted.

(b)  That the room size element of the Council’s 1992 Guidelines for flat conversions be withdrawn.

(c)  To replace 76sqm with 79sqm as the definition of a family home in the Core Strategy 2006-2026.