New homes are too small for everyday life, according to new research by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

CABE conducted the research with the owners of 2,500 private new homes, to explore views on the adequacy of internal space.

44% of all households surveyed say they do not have enough space for small children to play safely in the kitchen while meals are being prepared, and 37% say they or their children do not have enough space to entertain guests privately.

72% do not have enough space for the three small bins required to recycle properly; and 35% do not have the kitchen space for basic cooking appliances such as a toaster or a microwave.

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The research points to lower-income households suffering from more of the problems associated with a lack of space. 90% of the householders surveyed had a spare bedroom, and so the situation is worse for those in fully occupied properties.

Housebuilders often protest that people won’t be able to afford houses with more space. In fact, the barrier is the profit margin that publicly limited companies feel obliged to make. By building the smallest homes in Europe, they’re not giving people the choice. Homebuyers deserve well designed homes that allow them to choose how they live.

Richard Simmons, CABE Chief Executive, said the research brings into question the argument that the market will meet the demands of people living in private housing developments. "We need local planning authorities to ensure much higher space standards before giving developments the go-ahead. We need local planning authorities to ensure much higher space standards before giving developments the go-ahead."

CABE also recommends that private housebuilders and estate agents should provide better information for buyers about space, using net floor area rather than the number of rooms.

(CD/BMcC)