Conservative Councillors have successfully forced Labour Councillors to vote for a motion calling on their own cabinet to accept the government's Nationally Described Space Standard (NDSS).
During July's meeting of the full council, Cllrs Jellyman and Evans moved a motion calling on the city council cabinet to accept the nationally set National Described Space Standard - the rules which ensure new homes are built to a minimum size. The motion was raised as Stoke-on-Trent City Council has yet to adopt the government's National Space Standard into its local planning policies, making it harder for planning committee members to block developments where the homes are too small.
During the meeting Cllr Jellyman said: "We had this flagship social housing scheme that isn't actually flagship at all – it's too small. We thought this was wrong, particularly from an administration that said they were going to invest well into social housing."
A recent planning application, introduced by the city council itself, proposed new homes in Bentilee - which would have fallen under the minimum size requirements under the national guidelines. It was from this that Conservative Councillors identified the issue - and brought foward the motion to ensure that new homes built in the city are built to a size, which is fit for purpose for local residents.
The episode shows once again, that whilst Labour is happy to push residents to accept substandard homes, Local Conservatives will stand up and fight for residents.
