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Representation ID: 8498

Received: 27/09/2021

Respondent: Anwyl Land

Agent: Fisher German LLP

2.40 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.