Housebuilders who cram as many dwellings as possible into new developments are being targeted in a new measure by East Devon District Council.

It's agreed a motion to add new standards for space to an updated local plan, so that homes will no longer be built too small for comfort.

The motion was proposed to the full council meeting on Tuesday, July 27 by Cllr Peter Faithfull (Independent, Ottery St Mary) and supported by Cllr Mike Allen (Conservative, Honiton St. Michael's).

In 2015 the government published space standards, but left it to councils to enforce them through policies in their local plans.

Cllr Faithfull said because of a lack of a policy, East Devon District Council can't reject residential planning applications based on size.

He argued that developers take advantage by building more homes than there is space for, in the interests of profitability.

Plans for substandard-sized homes 'should have been rejected'

He said: "Within my own ward I know of three applications which should have been rejected due to them being under the nationally recognised size."

Cllr Mike Allen agreed, saying lack of action had resulted in some houses being built to substandard sizes, something, that 'should never have happened'.

Seconding the motion, Cllr Vicky Johns (Independent Progressive Group, Ottery St Mary) said: "It's a shame that developers do get away with doing this kind of thing and hopefully if we do put the policy in place it will nip it in the bud."

With 41 votes in favour, the motion was recommended for approval to officers. This temporary decision-making framework was launched on Monday after the council decided to make its meetings virtual again because of fears over current Covid risks. For the time being, senior East Devon Council officers now have to rubber-stamp councillors' recommendations.

EDDC will now seek to implement these national space standards as part of its updated local plan (2021-2040), which is currently being drafted.