New homes ‘too small for everyday life’

New homes are failing to provide enough space for everyday activities, according to new research.

The survey for CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, which advises the Government on architecture, questioned 2,500 owners of private new homes.

Of those questioned 57 per cent said they didn’t have enough storage space, 47 per cent said there was not enough space for furniture and 44 per cent said they did not have enough space for small children to play in the kitchen while meals were being prepared.

In addition, 37 per cent said they or their children do not have enough space to entertain guests privately while 35 per cent said there was not enough kitchen space for appliances such as toasters and microwaves.

Some 72 per cent said they did not have enough space for three small recycling bins.

All of the residents surveyed lived in homes that had been built between 2003 and 2006 including flats, houses and bungalows.

Richard Simmons, CABE chief executive, said: “This research brings into question the argument that the market will meet the demands of people living in private housing developments. We need local planning authorities to ensure much higher space standards before giving developments the go-ahead.”

CABE recommends that local authorities should use their existing powers to only approve developments that include sufficient space in new homes. CABE also believes that private housebuilders and estate agents should provide better information for buyers about space, using net floor area rather than the number of rooms; and that the Homes and Communities Agency should seize the opportunity to produce new cross agency standards for space.