Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department gives to local authorities on minimum sizes and space standards in the construction of new private dwellings. [164341]

Nick Boles, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Planning: The Government does not set minimum sizes and space standards for the construction of new private dwellings. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that local councils should themselves identify the size, type, tenure and range of housing that is needed in their areas. The Government abolished the Whitehall density targets in 2010 that discouraged the provision of larger homes. The framework also asks local councils to plan to meet the housing needs of different groups in the community, including families with children, older people and people with disabilities.

The Housing Standards Review has been considering the setting of internal space standards by local authorities. We will publish a consultation document about the review shortly.

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