Why are crawl spaces so narrow?

[MaxP779]

I found a hatch in the cupboard under the stairs, its next to the electric meter and water turn off thingmy. It is very narrow though, a small child would likely have trouble going in there, what's the idea behind this? Seems a bit pointless to have any space at all no?

House was built in 1997.

 

[Maccapacca]

Is it just an access panel rather than a crawl space?

Is it white plastic with a key to open it?

 

[MaxP779]

Nah its just some of the plywood thats been cut into a square, yeah access panel would be a much better term for it. Ill post a pic when i get the chance.

 

[InertProtocol]

Modrn day priesthole?

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

Just sounds liek someone had the boards up, if it's near the gas/electric meter that may be why. We cut ours so they came up in a panel/hatch too

 

[Nightglow]

Nearly 20 years ago, I worked on a house which had a access hatch, not exactly small.

I got through it ok, but it getting back out was impossible, my boss was none too please having to cut up the floor to enlarge the opening.