Tiny homes will be part of Theresa May’s legacy, says NFB

National Federation of Builders

The prime minister must take responsibility for the “tiny homes” that she facilitated by ignoring industry and campaigner advice for better housing standards and more appropriate policy.

Changes to policy are welcomed but, unfortunately, it is too little too late as with many of her decisions.

Time after time, the PM and her housing ministers were told that their policy decisions were actively encouraging the construction of smaller homes, but they ignored every warning.

  • Office to residential development under permitted development rules was a major contributing factor.
  • The decision to stop publishing the number of one, two, three and four bedroom homes also gave councils fewer tools to match housing need with supply.
  • Investment in and backing of the brilliant, albeit transitional, housing provider Pocket Living highlighted a lack of market understanding.

Local authorities who did not mandate space standards within local planning must take their share of the blame, but the Government knew this was happening and did not take the right steps to solve it.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The issue of tiny homes has been raised over and over again. The Government kicked it into the long grass and it is disingenuous of the prime minister to make it a priority, now that she is stepping down.”

Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning policy at the House Builders Association, said: “I’ve lost track of the number of times I raised this issue with the Government and councils. We can ensure larger homes are built through tools such as space standards, but councils must also know the types and size of homes that are being built. That requires the Government to begin publishing those statistics once again.”

National Federation of Builders

The National Federation of Builders is a United Kingdom trade association representing the interests of small and medium-sized building contractors in England and Wales.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 29/03/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Geovation Spring showcase – why it is important that you come and support the founders The event takes place on the evening of Wednesday the 17th of April, at Sutton Yard, London EC1V 7EN, please get it booked into your diary today. As ever the…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 28/03/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   tlyfe the tenant App gets huge marketing boost from national team tour from the Openbrix team As many will know tlyfe, powered by OpenBrix, is the UK’s most innovative tenant lifecycle app, taking the stress out of the move in process and helping to…
Read More
Breaking News

Over Four Out Of Five Tenants Unaware Of The Renters Reform Bill

OVER four out of five tenants remain unaware of the Renters (Reform) Bill and its contents, according to new research. The data comes from a representative survey of over 2,000 private renters conducted by the TDS Charitable Foundation, which works to advance education about housing rights and obligations in the private rented sector. The Bill…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

What is Property Damage in a Personal Injury Case?

Property damage refers to any damage that affects things instead of a person. This might include damage to your car, house, etc. As such, it is not regarded as a personal injury case. However, when an individual is injured when the accident occurs, the affected person can file a personal injury claim. A typical example…
Read More
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

Rightmove comment on new 99% first-time buyer mortgage product

Matt Smith, Rightmove’s mortgage expert said: “It’s encouraging to see lenders continuing to try to innovate in the mortgage market, even after the government abandoned its own plans to encourage lower deposit mortgages in the Spring Budget. This new product has the potential to help some first-time buyers who fit the affordability criteria, but are struggling…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News – 27/03/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Coadjute ahead of the game as they are already licensed to provide digital TA6 Forms to property stakeholders This week, the Law Society announced its TA6 Form will now include Material Information as per the the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team…
Read More