priate innovation or change (such as increased densities);
- establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create an attractive, welcoming and distinctive places to live, work and visit;
- optimise the potential of the site to accommodate and sustain an appropriate amount and mix of development (including green and other public space) and support local facilities and transport networks;
- create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users46; and where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience.
Whilst the generic criteria for place shaping is welcomed through the National Planning Policy Framework (2019), minimum space standards can differ among local authorities, i.e. some Councils have adopted standards and some don’t. The Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) deal with the space dwellings and set out the requirements for gross internal floor area of new dwellings at a defined level of occupancy. As well as floor areas for key parts of the home. However these are optional for Councils to use if they are linked to a local policy however the NDSS do not consider the need for an appropriate level of outside space.
With the lack of space standards this does leave the door open for any housing developments to be of a standard which doesn’t reflect occupancy levels and could promote overcrowding.
England has a housing crisis. Increased housing prices are making it harder than ever to own a home. This plus a reliance on private landlords and a lack of social housing means more and more people end up without a home. We need to do more to ensure that those who are the most vulnerable in society are protected. And more social housing with good space standards needs to be built to bridge the gap between the available housing and those who need it most.
We have much more information for you in our series of ebooks which cover everything from the very basics of town planning to application processes and what self builders need to consider. Download the ebook which best suits your needs right here.