In the run up to the UN conference in Copenhagen CABE argue that Government needs to shift public spending away from “grey projects, like road building and heavy engineering projects, to green schemes, like street trees, parks, green roofs and waterways”.

The Europeans, particurlay the Dutch with their Woonerf & the Germans, have been doing this for decades. In the UK we have Home Zones but there is no supporting legislation for them. The Government has, however, given it’s support to 12 pilot Home Zone schemes in the UK. So far there’s only one completed scheme!

CABE suggests that local planning authorities can and should ensure higher space standards before giving developments the green light.

I used to work for an architect’s practice that did a lot of work for housing associations and private developers and seeing the plans in front of me I would be quite dismayed at the size of rooms. I don’t believe much will have changed since 2006; only last week on a daytrip with the family we passed a new suburban housing development and remarked on how small the houses appeared.

The CABE press release can be viewed here.