GREATER FLOOR SPACE NOW ALLOWABLE FOR NEW MINIMUM HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 5

GREATER FLOOR SPACE NOW ALLOWABLE FOR NEW MINIMUM HOUSE

WELLINGTON. Last Night (PA).— The decision of the Government to increase the allowable floor area of a minimum-sized house was announced this evening by the Minster of Works (Mr. Semple). Up to the present time a home builder had been limited to an area of 1150 square feet of floor space unless the size of his family warrants a house nf greater area. As already reported the basic area had been increased to 1300 square feet for a onestorey residence .and 1400 square fee' for a two-storey one. This is subject, however, to its containing three bedrooms.

The Minister said local authorities had been delegated power by the Building Controller (Mr. R. L. McPhail) to issue building permits cn this basis without reference to district building controllers. The accommodation must be required for permanent occupation and not'for intermittent holiday purposes, and the materials used must conform to any conditions imposed under the Building Emergency Regulations. This approval did not incude multi unit housing. The new policy was to become effective on Monday.

Mr. Semple said that this further relaxation in housing construction now permitted a prospective home builder to erect a house of a size that would, in most cases, meet the requirements of an average family and. in many instances, be the means of providing that very desirable amenity —a spare