BASINGSTOKE’S MP has called for higher standards in the house building market.

During a debate on new housing design in Westminster on September 5, Maria Miller called for a new homes Ombudsman, to make sure that any widespread problems experienced by home buyers are mediated and resolved swiftly.

As a result of the issues raised by residents in Basingstoke, Mrs Miller has already gained agreement from the government to change building control performance standards to make the reports compiled by approved inspectors during the building of new houses available to the new home purchaser.

Mrs Miller said: “There has been fundamental change in the house building market in this country which has not been reflected in fundamental changes to the way this market is regulated.

“Most homes are now built by a handful, five or six major developers and now more than ever new home buyers rely on the government to make sure that those well-designed homes are built well too.

“We have to make sure that new design actually works in practice.”

In her role as vice chair of the all party parliamentary group for excellence in the built environment, Mrs Miller also launched a report in July 2016 setting out measures to improve the quality of workmanship in new homes and to provide consumers with easier and cheaper forms of redress.