There are approximately 7,200 wheelchair-user households in Cornwall. Of those, 575 are living in housing that is not suitable for their long-term needs.
The current housing stock is largely inaccessible and not fully ‘visitable’ by wheelchair users or other disabled people. The proportion of stock that is suitable for a disabled person to live in is even smaller.
An assessment of a property’s ‘visitability’ includes provision of:
- level access
- flush thresholds
- suitable door widths
- circulation spaces; and,
- toilet facilities at entrance level.
To be suitable for a disabled person to live in, properties would need to be significantly enhanced further, likely requiring adaptions to make it habitable.
Building Regulations
National technical access standards for housing published in March 2015, now specify three Building Regulations design standards for new properties:
- Category 1
mandatory former ‘Part M’ Visitable Dwellings, with no significant improvements; - Category 2
Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings - broadly comparable to Lifetime Homes’ standard - Category 3
Wheelchair User Dwellings - broadly similar to Wheelchair Housing Design Guide standards.
Dwellings should be well-designed and versatile to ensure they can meet a variety of individuals’ needs in the long-term.
Development Standards
The Cornwall Local Plan will require 25% of new homes on sites of 10 or more new dwellings to meet the requirements of Category 2 to be ‘Accessible and adaptable’. This will ensure flexible housing is provided, which will serve the needs of the occupant as they change over time. To enhance the quality of the housing stock in Cornwall.
In addition, there is an identified need for ‘specialist housing’ to meet the needs of those with
- physical disabilities
- learning difficulties
- or mental health issues
Larger schemes of 200 units or more will be required to make specific provision for this type of specialist housing including homes.
Providing accessible housing
Moving to a more suitable home will likely improve a disabled person’s quality of life.
With the supply of existing suitable stock so low, new build may be the only option. The Affordable Housing Team liaise closely with partners, including;
- Homechoice Welfare Panel
- Occupational Therapists
- Home Solutions (who provide Disabled Facilities Grants); and
- Registered Providers
This enables the organisations to work together with the aim of delivering homes, through the planning process.
When deciding on an affordable housing mix, consideration should be given to securing Category 2 or 3 dwellings, where there is an identified need. These homes will form part of the overall housing mix of affordable homes.
Information is also available in our bite-size guide to Accessible, Adaptable and Wheelchair Dwellings
