New homes too small to live in

Brits with the space to add a conservatory or pool house may think themselves fortunate after it was suggested many new residences are too small for modern living.

The assertion was made by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, which conducted a survey of property owners recently.

It found 57 per cent of respondents do not have enough storage room, while 35 per cent have insufficient space for a microwave or toaster.

Commenting, Home Builders Federation head of communications Steve Turner explained a lack of available land was forcing developers to create smaller abodes.

"The planning system in this country is very bureaucratic and is not providing the land for the sufficient number of houses that the country needs," he said.

Mr Turner added building large and expensive properties on the available plots did not serve to help anyone, as they would be out of most buyers price ranges and leave builders struggling to sell them.