The NHBC have published new standards that come into effect on 1 January 2017
New NHBC Standards 2017 There is a new chapter 6.11 on Render and rendering systems!
This clearly specifies that normally, movement joints will be required no more than 3 metres from a corner and then every 6 metres.
There are new requirements for protecting render for different weather conditions, site mixes and thicknesses.
It also has the all-important
"factory made render shall be applied to manufacturers instructions and specifications."
Whether this will result in fewer claims regarding cracked render in future only time will tell.