A voluntary code should be adopted by house builders to end ‘rabbit hutch housing’, the Scottish Conservatives have announced.

Many Scottish families are facing cramped living conditions with the average new build property covers just 76sq m compared to double that amount of 137sq m in other European countries.

Now a motion has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament calling for the Scottish Government, housing professionals and councils to work together to adopt a set of voluntary rules.

The code would see minimum floor space and storage standards in new build homes across Scotland to end ‘shoe box’ living.

Research suggests that cramped living conditions and overcrowding can lead to depression, the breakdown of relationships as well as physical symptoms such as asthma.

And poor housing conditions can also have an impact on the social and physical development of children.

Scottish Conservative housing spokesman and North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnstone said: “There are many families suffering from overcrowded living conditions in Scotland and this is something which urgently needs addressed.

“We hear a lot about how many houses need to be built to keep pace with demand, but I am not alone in being deeply concerned that in the race to play the numbers game, floor sizes of new properties will be sacrificed in order to maximise the number of units.

“Cramped flats and houses with limited rooms and storage space can lead to all sorts of problems – including both physical and mental illnesses. That is why I am urging a new voluntary code to be adopted to put an end rabbit hutch houses.

“If house builders and construction companies worked together to change this, it would benefit so many people, giving a better quality of life.

“Scotland has a good record on improving specifications in the construction of new homes, especially with regard to insulation.

“That’s why we’re urging everyone to work together to make cramped and unacceptable living conditions a thing of the past.”