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Written question asked by Ben Goldsborough (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 July 2026. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Monday, 20 July 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Gardens

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of policy options to deliver adequately sized, high-quality gardens of 200 square metres as part of the Government's pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2030.

Answer

The National Planning Policy Framework emphasises the importance of a network of high quality, open spaces for the health and wellbeing of communities and the environment. This is supported by national design guidance, which explains the contribution of private and communal gardens to well designed places, in the context of health, well-being, privacy and the natural environment. Through draft updates to national design guidance, we will continue to promote the use of design codes by local planning authorities to set minimum requirements on back-to-back distances, overlooking and front garden sizes for new housing.

We do not otherwise have any current plans to mandate minimum garden sizes for new developments.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15173
Session
2026-27
Registered interest declared
Yes
Subjects
Construction Housing Gardens
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk