New build garden size inaccurate/too small

[ShezK21]

We are buying a new build and the developers took forever to get back to us on the measurements for our garden. I thought in the meantime I could roughly work it out from the site plan, given that we had all the measurements of the house. So the house is 30 feet from front to back and the plans showed that the garden is the same length. So I estimated it was hopefully at least 25 feet long and as its wider than it is long, and based on house measurements, I estimated it was 30 to 35 feet across.

I know they aren't completely accurate, however when we finally did get the measurements back they have told me the garden is 17 feet long by 20 feet across.
The plans actually show the garden being almost twice the size it actually is! Are they allowed to be this far off and what can I do about it?
Lastly for a 3 bed, 3 storey house, housing 2 adults and 2 kids, is a 17 by 20 foot garden big enough?

Front or back garden?

Plans are indicative only less they’ve actually put dimensions on.

If it's back garden, then I wouldn't be happy with that, it's quite small. You've been misled so I'd complain and see if it's not too late to change the plans.

I would say that's definitely too small. Imagine 3x 6ft people lying in a line, that's roughly how long and wide it is. Tiny.

It seems to be a similar size to a Victorian terrace house and yard. They are small. But you get used to it.

No, that's not ok. I've actually had a flat with a living room that size...it was huge for a living room, not so great for a garden.

What are you planning to do with your garden? If it's just work/maintenance for you, then it might be ok but to actually plant stuff or use it, nope.

It's the back garden 😳

what does your contract say for measurements?
have you exchanged already?

there was an item on this on radio (you and yours) the other week. have a listen.

My husband has plans for it and eventually we wanted a little summer house but even a tiny shed is going to take up too much room.

How wide is the house?

How was the garden described to you?

It sounds like they've cocked up their measurements. I'd defo be going back to them and having a robust discussion. They will struggle to sell a relatively big house with such a small garden, I think.

How wide is the house? Do you have side access to the rear garden?

What plans were you working from? There should be scale drawings which you can measure from the build plans and planning permission but things may vary on site. There will be a caveat on block plans about it being indicative not accurate. Does the contract specify any dimensions?

Which way does it face? It might not get much sun behind a tall house

how does it sit in the development plan/site map? has anything changed since you reserved your plot?

Despite the fact that planning drawing must have a scale on them.
Theres also, always, a note saying do not scale.
You cannot scale off a drawing.

Our den is 17ft by 12ft ……I could not live anywhere with a garden that size…..I hope it’s south facing for your sake otherwise you will never sit out in it

That's a very small garden. I would not proceed.
30 ft is small enough, 17ft is tiny
Are you sure there isn't some confusion between ft and metre conversion? I have never heard of a garden that small being marketed as a garden.

I would not go ahead….pull out now….you will definitely regret it

So does that mean the actual house itself isn't as wide as you thought it was?

Tiny! Have you exchanged yet?

The garden wasn't really mentioned to me at all. Other than that it wasn't even going to be turfed. I have queried if there was a mistake with the measurements, but was assured it is indeed 17'x20'

Not yet, no

It's west facing

Most new builds have permitted development rights removed so require pp even for sheds. One that takes up a large proportion of the space may not get passed.