The homebuilding group says the Government must appreciate that the policy is simply not realistic given the wide-ranging homebuyer demographic in the UK and the differing requirements from people across the whole cycle of homeownership.

Chris Coates, managing director for Galliford Try Homes, said: “Home buyers have differing priorities over layout and space within the home, and it would be unfair to enforce expansion of certain features across the board, if it comes at the detriment of other living space.

“We would support any implementation to improve the standard and layout of existing pensioner homes and dedicated retirement housing, but if the Government wishes to apply its extensive criteria to every new home in the UK, it needs to come up with goods in terms of land supply and local funding.

“There is also the worry that with many struggling to afford even small starter apartments in the current climate, first-time buyers will be squeezed further out of the market if they are forced to shoulder additional costs that would result from enforcing extra space and facilities on all new homes as outlined in this latest plan.”