When it comes to deciding what makes a home, there is always going to be a lot of debate. Homes in the broadest sense of the word, come in all shapes and sizes – a stately mansion, or a two-bed terrace, a studio flat, a bedsit, a bungalow, villa, chalet, duplex – all valid and all considered by someone to be a home.

However, news that planning permission has been passed under permitted development rules in Croydon for two flats that have an internal area smaller than that of a black cab has prompted us to question exactly what makes a home.

While the planning application has been passed, there are suggestions that the current permitted development rules need some attention, as office conversions to flats do not come under the same regime as other developments would, so there are no limitations on size. For example, another development put forward for planning in Barnet would convert a warehouse to multiple flats with the smallest coming in at just 139 sqft, and many having no windows with just a skylight for natural light.

The Barnet Society, a resident’s organisation, has concerns for those living in the flats if built, especially for the mental health and wellbeing of any residents in the windowless portion of the building. It described the proposals as “a cynical exploitation of planning loopholes – compounded by the disregard for basic human needs”.

There is definitely an argument for this, and the Government does outline what it expects basic space standards for homes to be (see their report here). Incidentally, under the current plans, neither of these proposals would qualify.

But when you consider the difficulty many people now have getting on the housing ladder, it is little wonder that people will consider living in more cramped accommodation, so they can at least have a ‘place’ they can call their own, no matter how small.

One thing is for sure, if these do get built, it will bring a whole new meaning to the infamous estate agent phrase ‘compact and bijou’.

If you would like to know the exact dimensions of a property you own or are buying, then please get in touch and we can show you how the power of Spec can help you. Please email hello@spec.co.

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