You will read elsewhere in this Newsletter (page 13) a report on Jackie Sadek's talk after the AGM and note that it was based on her book; Broken homes, Britain’s housing crisis: faults, factoids and fixes co-writtten with Peter Bill (Troubador 2020). It is a revealing read and outlines how the major house-builders have manipulated the market to build even smaller houses for even greater profit. 

Since the end of the First World War (‘Homes fit for heroes’) the Government has tried to set minimum standards for space in new homes, notably the Parker Norris standards developed after the Second World War.  Developers – particularly the big house builders – have resisted, most recently supporting the government’s 'Localism agenda' where the local population (and the local planners) set the standards. You will not be surprised to learn the size of houses, particularly the smaller ones, is lower than any standard that has come and gone.

A particular trick is to build two and three-bedroom homes over three floors, one in the roof space – so no chance of later expansion! Three-storey homes are narrower, so sit on narrower plots: more plots in the street but less room for on-site parking. 

 

A surprising outcome, at least to me, is the change in the ratio between daytime space and nighttime space. It was 50/50, for example, in a 1930s semi and no doubt in your house and mine. That is half of the rooms (downstairs) were for daytime use – the kitchen, lounge – and the other half for nighttime use – bathroom, bedrooms. In a three storey house this has changed: one third daytime, two thirds night-time (this achieves three bedrooms, a family bathroom and an ensuite). What this means in practice is that there simply isn't room for a family, with all the paraphernalia they accumulate, and if there isn't a garage there is little or no storage space.

The amount of green space – parks, playgrounds, even verges – has also reduced considerably since the millennium; The Guardian suggests by 40 percent on a typical new estate.

Jackie then dealt with ‘factoids’ (items of unreliable information that are reported and repeated so frequently that they becomes accepted as facts):-
   ‘Building more houses lowers the price.’
   ‘Changing the Planning system will lead to more houses being built.’
   ‘Prefabs will solve the housing crisis.’
Jackie provided a strong case why none of these are true, whilst at the same time explaining how they have become government policy.

Broken homes is an informative book and if you are in anyway interested in the new-build housing market, I recommend you read it. Incidentally, the copies Jackie left after her talk were sold for the benefit of the Society, for which we are grateful.

Finally, one quick reminder from me. The Executive Committee has organised, in conjunction with Ipswich Historic Churches Trust, an ‘indoor Garden Party’. It will take place inside St Clement’s Church (on the superb new floor) on Wednesday evening, 20th July 2022 between 6pm and 8pm. Pop in at any time for a glass of wine, a canapé and a chance to look around.

John Norman, Chairman

Correction: in my Carr House development article (Issue 228) should read Joe Fogel, not ‘Joe Fogal’; apologies.

Next article