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A new report has called for a fundament rethink of permitted development rights.
Architecture firm Resi has found that 20,000 permitted developments are waived through every year with no scrutiny, leading to calls for a rethink.
They add that strict environmental and accessibility requirements are among actions that need to be taken by government to improve the nation’s homes.
They say all new homes should allow for full accessibility and be environmentally sustainable.
This includes but is not limited to amending building regulations to require step-free access to buildings as a minimum, and including new minimum requirements for important aspects such as energy usage, insulation, and carbon emissions, for all existing building stock.
The report adds that retail spaces that were converted for residential use has led to a ‘point of no return’ for UK high streets, with London boroughs see 170 shops converted to flats in one year.
Resi recommends that planning authorities get professionals to issue certificates for adequate developments so that industry and policymakers can work towards the same goal.
The report is also calling for new UK-wide Housing Performance measure to ensure the well-being and happiness of residents in all developments. The measurements would be akin to the Energy Performance Certificates.
The group are proposing that the new measure would combine objective data about UK housing stock, such as the proportions, dimensions, and quality of natural light of housing, as well as energy efficiency and accessibility of green spaces, with subjective data to give an overview of how homes contribute to the well-being of their inhabitants.
Resi recommends benchmarking for well-being and happiness in the home will help alleviate poor quality developments, by raising public consciousness to enable greater discussions – putting greater scrutiny on developers to make safe and happy homes.
Founder and CEO of Resi, Alex Depledge, said: “It’s now time for Britain to think seriously about how our homes perform for the nation’s well-being. Ensuring happiness and well-being where we all live should be at the heart of future planning and house building.
“Too many sub standard developments are being nodded through and not properly scrutinised. This means that families are too often housed in accommodation that simply isn’t suitable. We are also seeing some of our town centres being hollowed out as commercial property is turned into housing. These developments fundamentally change our communities and need to be looked at more closely.
“Resi’s recommendations aren’t driven by self-interest. Many in the industry see loose building regulations as beneficial as they allow for more development. But we think the pendulum has swung too far and we are worried about the impact this is having on our communities. We need to ensure that every new home is a happy home.”
