MINIMUM bedroom sizes in one-person homes have been cut, while calls to significantly increase the minimum space standards have been rejected by the Environment Minister.
The States Assembly supported a proposal asking Environment Minister Steve Luce to review raising the minimum size of all one-bedroom homes to 52m².
However, Deputy Luce said this would damage affordability, restrict choice, and reduce housing supply in a report presented to the States Assembly this week.
Instead, he set a minimum space requirements for some one-person flats to a universal 43m² standard – up from 41m²
The minister also confirmed that the minimum size of the bedroom in a one-bedroom one-person home has been reduced from 11.5m² to 8m².
“Smaller, well-designed homes are an essential part of Jersey’s housing strategy,” he said, emphasising that nearly a third of Jersey households now consist of a single person.
The report warned that forcing all one-bedroom flats to meet the larger two-person standard would “make smaller homes less affordable,” increasing the price of a unit by around £50,000 and adding almost £300 per month to mortgage repayments.
“This may price some buyers out of the market and is more likely to impact first-time buyers as they are often most sensitive to price increases,” explained Deputy Luce.
Limiting the smallest homes would also “reduce the availability of appropriately sized homes” and could lead to more islanders remaining in “possibly overcrowded accommodation.”
He added: “Smaller homes, where they are specifically designed for fewer occupants, are not inherently substandard and play a vital role in meeting diverse housing needs.”
The Environment Minister also acknowledged that higher ceilings improve natural light and the feel of a space, but said he would not change the rules until the cost implications were clearer.
Deputy Luce concluded: “The decision to retain and refine the one-bedroom/one-person specification reflects a balanced approach – supporting affordability, choice, and housing supply, while addressing concerns about overcrowding through design-led solutions and planning controls.”
