Everyone is aware that the UK needs hundreds of thousands of new homes in the next decade but little thought seems to have been given to the size and quality. Indeed, there is no national minimum standard for the size of a new home in England. This is worrying, according to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which points out that the UK has the smallest homes in Western Europe.
Imagine living in a Jubilee Line tube carriage. It may sound far fetched, but 46 square meters, the size of a Jubilee Line carriage, is the size of the average one bedroom new build home being built in Britain, RIBA reveals in a new study; The Case for Space, the Size of England’s New Homes.
This kind of cramped, environment is a day to day reality for those living in many new build homes yet research also shows that space and light are the top things people care about when looking for new homes.
People are concerned about the space and natural light when they are looking for homes but these are not luxuries, they are basic needs which are proven to impact on our health, happiness and wellbeing.
In a few weeks’ time UK government will be making crucial decisions about the future of homes including minimum standards for space, energy, security and natural light. The Government’s Review of Housing Standards in England could result in the current meagre housing standards being reduced or even abolished, according to RIBA.