Object

Representation ID: 6574

Received: 13/09/2021

Respondent: Clarendon Land and Development Ltd

Agent: Fisher German LLP

Residential space standards
2.39 The requirement for all new dwellings to meet prescribed national space standards as a minimum, as
proposed through Policy DQ1 Residential space standards is not supported and has not been justified.
The justification provided is that the standards have been mandated for homes delivered through
permitted development rights. This was however in response to a specific issue identified with homes
delivered through PD rights, with many being delivered in former office blocks or other buildings which
resulted in smaller dwellings. This does not justify the approach adopted by the Council in respect of
new build units. If the Council is to introduce this policy, it must have evidence to point to a specific issue
existing in Bedford Borough and the issues this is causing and hence why a policy intervention is
necessary. Without this the Council is not justified in relation to this policy. Moreover, the Council should
be aware of delivering such requirements and the impacts on sale prices, as larger dwellings will attract
higher prices, having a disproportionate impact on larger families who do not qualify for social housing,
but require a larger property.