Academy of Urbanism: Response to Housing Standards Review

Date posted: October 13, 2013

ArchitecturePLB Director Ian Deans attended an invited workshop hosted by the Academy of Urbanism, to respond to the Governments Housing Standards review. Chaired by Andy von Bradsky of PRP, the group of eight practitioners from across the housing sector, debated the detail of the DCLG proposals and how the changes could be implemented in real terms.

Overall, the simplification of the numerous housing regulations and guidelines was welcomed but the changes did raise some difficult detail issues, particularly on space standards and how these could be equitably implemented across tenures. It is also important that the ‘softer’, less empirical standards that cannot easily be covered under building regulations are adequately picked up in a parallel exercise in planning law.

The Academy of Urbanism