In response to the Prime Minister’s calls today for laws to be introduced to enforce minimum space standards for all new homes, during her speech at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference, Labour’s London Assembly Housing Spokesperson, Tom Copley AM, said:
“While the Prime Minister’s U-turn today on minimum space standards is welcome, it also extremely belated.
“Her words will be of cold comfort to Londoners who are already stuck in rabbit-hutch-sized, poor quality housing as a result of her Government having actively implemented planning loopholes that undermine space standards.
“My recent report, Slums of the Future, exposes the damaging impact of Government-backed Permitted Development conversions, which don’t require full planning permission, on London’s already overstrained and underfunded housing market.
“Due to this policy, which as it stands, the Government are still planning to extend, the capital has lost out on over 5,000 affordable homes and has seen the construction of thousands of residential units that flout national minimum space standards.
“If the Prime Minister is serious about sowing the seeds for the transformation of our housing market on her way out of Number Ten, she should end Permitted Development conversions and urge her replacement to adequately fund affordable housing projects in London”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Tom Copley AM’s report, Slums of the Future: Permitted Development conversions in London, can be accessed here;