Policy information sourced from the Waltham Forest Local Plan

56 Residential Space Standards

A. Proposals for new homes are required to meet the prescribed minimum internal space standards, as set out in Table 14.2;

B. All housing design should maximise the provision of dual aspect dwellings and avoid the provision of single aspect dwellings wherever possible. Single aspect dwellings that are north facing, contain three or more bedrooms, or are exposed to noise levels with significant adverse effects on health and quality of life will not be supported. Where single aspect homes are proposed, it should be demonstrated that they will have adequate passive ventilation, daylight and privacy, and avoid overheating;

C. Proposals for new homes are required to meet the following external amenity space standards:

  1. Houses should provide a minimum of 50sqm of private external amenity space per dwelling;
  2. One and two bed flats and maisonettes should provide a minimum of 10sqm of external amenity space per dwelling. Flats and maisonettes containing three bedrooms or more should provide a minimum of 10sqm of external amenity space per dwelling plus an additional 1sqm for each additional occupant.These external amenity space requirements should include some private outdoor amenity space for each dwelling in the form of balconies, terraces and/or private gardens (including roof gardens). The remaining external amenity space requirements can include communal, landscaped amenity space in accordance with guidelines set out in the London Plan;
  3. Private external amenity spaces must be a minimum of 5sqm and achieve a minimum depth and width of 1.5m;
  4. Communal external amenity spaces must be a minimum of 50sqm and should be easily accessible to all residents of the development, regardless of tenure;
  5. The measurement of external amenity space areas should exclude footpaths, driveways, and areas for vehicle circulation and parking;
  6. Where external amenity space standards cannot be provided on-site, the Council may require financial contributions towards enhancing or upgrading the provision of local open space(s) in the vicinity of the development;

D. All external amenity space should be well designed, appropriately located and usable. External amenity space should not be steeply sloping, awkwardly shaped or very narrow.The role and function of each external amenity space should be clear and the boundaries between different spaces should be well defined. The most important design factors to consider with both private and communal external amenity spaces are:

  1. Ease of accessibility;
  2. Levels of sunlight penetration;
  3. Security;
  4. Shelter from wind and other environmental factors; and
  5. Good levels of natural/passive surveillance;

E. Children’s play areas should be provided in all developments containing 10 or more child bed spaces. A minimum of 10sqm of playspace should be provided as per child (as per the London Plan and the Mayor’s Providing for Children and Young People’s Play and Informal Recreation Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)(40) or equivalent). Where children’s play space requirements cannot be provided on-site, the Council may require financial contributions towards enhancing or upgrading the provision of local play space(s) in the vicinity of the development; and

F. Wherever possible, family homes in apartment blocks should be located with good access to communal external amenity space and should allow oversight of children playing outside.

For more information please see the Waltham Forest Local Plan