DCLG to consult on abolishing "unnecessary" housing standards
The Department for Communities and Local Government is to consult on abolishing a range of “unnecessary and confusing” housing standards.
The Department said more than 100 standards that councils are free to apply locally would be reduced to fewer than 10.
Councils will be required to conduct a “rigorous viability and need assessment” if they wish to apply those remaining standards.
According to the DCLG, standards that could be abolished following the consultation – details of which can be found here – include:
- “requirements for rainwater harvesting in places that don’t suffer from water shortages;
- demands for solar and wind energy sources that can’t physically fit onto the roofs of apartment buildings;
- a stipulation for multiple phone lines in home offices, irrespective of need and in addition to broadband connection;
- requirements to build accessible flats on floors that can’t be reached by disabled people;
- rules on window sizes that include a ‘dirty window factor’ - imposing bigger windows to allow for dirt on them, rather than assuming people will have the common sense to clean them to let more light in.”
The DCLG is also proposing to reduce more than 1,500 pages of guidance to fewer than 80.
However, it insisted that essential safety and accessibility rules would not be changed.
A period of transition will be implemented to allow certain standards – such as the code for sustainable homes – to be phased out.
The consultation will also seek views on minimum space and access standards amid concerns over 'rabbit-hutch' homes.
Communities Minister Don Foster said: “The current mish-mash of housing standards means that from Allerdale in Cumbria to Zoar in Cornwall no same set of rules always applies – it’s confusing, bureaucratic and cannot be allowed to continue.”
David Orr, chief executive of National Housing Federation, said: “We were involved in the housing standards review because we want to see greater consistency and clarity across standards for all new housing. For truly sustainable new homes that will provide enough space for families to grow, have low fuel bills and reflect local character and conditions we need strong guidelines that ensure good homes are built, but without imposing needless or inappropriate requirements.
“Moving from 100 standards to 10 is a good start in reducing red tape while safeguarding good quality home building but we look forward to seeing further details of the review.”
The DCLG said that it would, following consultation, set out those housing standards that would continue. It will also issue an associated planning statement.