Accessible Buildings (Construction)

Non-Residential Buildings

With respect to non-residential buildings, our Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), Access for All, provides guidance to architects, surveyors and builders in adopting and applying the principles of inclusive design. The document forms part of the Council's Local Development Framework and can be downloaded using the links at the bottom of this page. See also information on the provision of Design and Access Statements for planning applications, below.

Residential Buildings

All new housing must be built to Lifetime Home Standards, and ten per cent of new homes should be designed to be wheelchair accessible or easily adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users. This requirement stems from London Plan Policy 3A.5: Housing Choice, which states:

Boroughs should take steps to identify the full range of housing needs within their areas. DPD policies should seek to ensure that:

new developments offer a range of housing choices, in terms of the mix of housing sizes and types, taking account of the housing requirements of different groups
all new housing is built to ‘Lifetime Homes’ Standards
ten per cent of new housing is designed to be wheelchair accessible, or easily adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users.

Guidance on compliance with Lifetime Homes standards is given below and in the Council's Supplementary Planning Advice Note: Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair Housing (December 2007) which can be downloaded using the link at the bottom of this page.

It should be noted that failure to demonstrate compliance with this requirement, with the help of the supplementary planning advice, is likely to lead to planning consent being refused.

Lifetime Homes Standards

Lifetime Homes Standards relate to both external and internal design features. It is important to note that this is a planning requirement, and that Lifetime Homes Standards are not the same as the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations. More information is available in the Supplementary Planning Advice Note: Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair Housing (link below)

The Council’s view is that a Part M compliant lift is necessary in all new developments where homes are accessed above the ground floor. This will enable people to access their homes when they can no longer use stairs easily, or at all, in accordance with the overall purpose of Lifetime Homes Standards.

Wheelchair Housing Standards

The requirement for wheelchair housing applies to both affordable and private dwellings. Again it should be noted that wheelchair accessible housing is a planning requirement and is not covered by the Building Regulations, and relates to both external and internal design features. Full design details of proposed wheelchair accessible homes are normally required with the planning application.

Full guidance on wheelchair housing standards is provided in the following publications:

Best Practice Guidance: Wheelchair Accessible Housing (GLA 2007)
Wheelchair Housing Design Guide (second edition, BRE Press 2006)

In addition to the above sources of guidance, the Council has the following specific requirements for wheelchair accessible homes built in the Borough (both affordable and private):

Where wheelchair accessible homes are accessible by lift, there should be the option of using an alternative lift in case of lift failure
All wheelchair accessible homes should be designed to include a fully wheelchair accessible shower facility (normally achieved by designing a ‘wet room’).
Wherever possible kitchens and shower rooms should only be fitted out when the needs of the first occupier are known.

More information is available in the Supplementary Planning Advice Note: Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair Housing (link below)

Further Advice on Accessible Construction

Further advice on inclusive design and construction at both planning and building control stages can be obtained from Jane Young, Disability Equality and Access Officer on 020 8547 5314 or email jane.young@rbk.kingston.gov.uk, and from Building Control on 020 8547 4699.

Applying for Planning Permission - Design and Access Statements

We require Design and Access Statements to be submitted with most planning applications. Guidance on producing Designand Access Statements can be downloaded using the link at the bottom of this page.

For further help with making planning applications, use the link to Kingston's planning pages, below.

Guidance for Building Managers

The way in which buildings are managed and maintained can either maintain and enhance accessibility or render access features unusable. It is therefore important that building managers know how to maintain access features properly and use routine maintenance as an opportunity to improve access. A copy of the 'Handbook for Building Managers (Accessibility)' is available to dowload using the link at the bottom of this page.