I picked this news release up from the ODPM Website yesterday.  Thought it
may be of interest.

News Release 2004/0050:
10 March 2004

NEW DESIGN RULES CREATE HOMES WITH BUILT-IN FLEXIBILITY
Better quality housing designed to adapt to changing household needs is the
aim of a review of building controls announced today (10th March) by the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Existing building regulations on accessibility could be strengthened by
introducing the 'Lifetime Homes' standard - a series of design features to
ensure that new or converted houses and flats have flexibility built in at
the design stage.
Possible features could include:

- Stairs designed to take a stair lift at a later stage
- Ground floor bedroom/WC
- Ground floor space for installation of a shower if required.

Parents of young children through to frail, older people and those with
temporary or permanent disabilities will be among the many who could benefit
from the forthcoming review of Part M of the building regulations. In
particular, the change would allow people to remain in their own homes for
longer as they age or their circumstances change.

The proposals were outlined for the first time today (10th March) by
Building Regulations Minister Phil Hope who was giving evidence at an ODPM
Select Committee hearing. Mr hope said:

"This review reflects the continuing commitment of the Government to
encourage better design and to build inclusive communities with improved
quality of life for all.
"The accent is on accessibility and design features that make the home
flexible enough to meet whatever comes along in life.

"This means homes which can be easily adapted to accommodate changes in
lifestyle like a teenager with a broken leg, a family member with serious
illness, or parents carrying in heavy shopping and dealing with a pushchair.

"There will be financial benefits too from reduced expenditure on
adaptations or moving people into residential care and further possible
savings in health care and re-housing costs."

Among a range of issues, the review will consider whether the Lifetime Home
standards themselves are in need of updating to reflect the recommendations
of British Standard BS 8300 'Design of buildings and their approaches to
meet the needs of disabled people - Code of Practice'.

Other research will look at practical ways to deliver enough wheelchair
accessible homes for local needs. Any amendment to Part M - Dwellings of the
Building Regulations will be accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment
and be subject to Public Consultation in due course. The new standards could
be in place in two years time.

Notes to Editors
1 Part M - Dwellings aims to make it reasonably safe and convenient for
disabled people to visit new dwellings and to use the principal storey. The
provisions are expected to enable occupants to cope better with reducing
mobility and to 'stay put' longer in their own homes, although not
necessarily to facilitate fully independent living for all disabled people.
The main features are:

- level entry to the principal, or a suitable alternative, entrance
- an entrance door wide enough to allow wheelchair access
- WC provision on the entrance or first habitable storey
- adequate circulation and wider doors within the entrance storey
- switches and socket outlets at appropriate heights from floor level
- level or gently sloping approach from the car parking space to the
dwelling, or where this is not possible, easy-going steps
- where a lift is to be provided in flats, a minimum lift capacity and
dimensions will be recommended
- where a lift is not provided the common stairs to be designed to suit the
needs of the ambulant disabled.

2 Lifetime Homes standards are a recognised model for the design of
accessible housing. They are designed to achieve accessible and convenient
housing particularly in relation to the needs of disabled people and those
with restricted mobility, but also for other users. They incorporate design
features or standards that add to the convenience of a home and provide for
easy adaptation to meet the changing needs which might occur throughout a
family's life cycle. The criteria are similar to, but go somewhat beyond the
requirements of Building Regulations Part M. Lifetime Homes do not however
incorporate the additional space requirements necessary for occupation by
wheelchair users. Wheelchair housing therefore requires additional specific
design features and space requirements to accommodate the living needs of
wheelchair users. In the social sector, many properties are already built to
this standard or close to it.


John Gregory
Access Officer
Cherwell District Council
Environmental Services Dept
DDI. 01295 221630
Fax. 01295 264394
Email. [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Web. http//www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk

This e-mail is confidential and may contain legally privileged information.  You should not disclose its contents to any other person.  If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately.

Whilst the Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise the risk of computer software viruses, it cannot accept liability for any damage which you may sustain as a result of such viruses.  You should carry out your own virus checks before opening the e-mail (and/or any attachments).

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the contents of this e-mail represent only the views of the sender and do not impose any legal obligation upon the Council or commit the Council to any course of action.


________________________________________________________________________
This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Star Internet. The
service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive
anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit:
http://www.star.net.uk
________________________________________________________________________

----------End of Message----------

Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:

http://www.inclusive-design.it

Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html