Inclusive and Accessible Design

Islington Council has a number of policies aimed at ensuring developments are designed to be accessible to all who visit, live, work or study in the borough, including those with disabilities.

The Council actively promotes the principles and practice of Inclusive Design throughout the development process. 

What is Inclusive Design?

It is not a fixed set of design criteria but an evolving philosophy that aims to produce aesthetically pleasing, functional environments that can be used equally by everyone, irrespective of age, gender or disability.

It cannot be fixed and will evolve over time in line with advances in technology and rising expectations.

There are six guiding principles that have been set out by the Disability Rights Commission.

• Diversity and difference  - it should be recognised also that disabled people are not an homogenous group, even within impairment types people have different abilities, they are also black, women, gay, may have caring responsibilities or have English as a second language.
• Ease of Use - no one should be forced to exert undue effort, experience discomfort or a loss of dignity.
• Freedom of choice and access to mainstream activities - independent access should be available but equally support and assistance should be provided to those who might require it; it should be provided on the users terms.
  
• Quality - aspects of design incorporated to meet the specific needs of disabled people should be produced to a standard equal to that in the remainder of the development. Designers should, wherever possible, exceed minimum standards, to avoid impressions of meanness or double standards.
• Legibility and predictability - a planning issue primarily that will obviate the need for excessive text based way finding devices; rationalised floor plans and the judicious use of light, materials and finishes.
  
• Safety - environments must not only be safe but also inspire a sense of safety.

Standards

It is generally agreed that principles alone are insufficient, minimum technical standards are still required to guarantee a base line beneath which accessibility is compromised. 

Designers should go beyond the minimum requirements contained in Part M of the Building Regulations and, unless agreed otherwise, adopt the recommendations contained in British Standard BS8300.

Where a service provider has adopted the philosophy of Inclusion and followed contemporary design guidance s/he will not be exempt from the duty to make further reasonable adjustments but it is likely to count in his/her favour that they have adopted accepted current best practice.

Planning policies

The Council's UDP provides a framework for developing a built environment that promotes inclusion and social equality. All external works should be designed to be accessible and safe for people with mobility, visual or hearing impairments. Layouts should be arranged to facilitate access to and within the buildings. Codes of Practice and other design reference documents are listed in the Design Guidance section, which is accessible by clicking the link on the left side of this page.

The Council also supports and implements relevant policies within the London Plan on Inclusion and Housing Choice including Policy 3A.5 that boroughs should take steps to identify the full range of housing needs within their area. UDP 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, such as students, older people, families with children and people willing to share accommodation.
  
  
• 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.
  

Supplementary Planning Document

On 25 March 2009, the London Borough of Islington adopted the Accessible Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The Accessible Housing SPD sets out the Council’s standards for accessible housing and applies to all new housing, whether new build, refurbishment, extension or conversion. 

The authority to set appropriate design standards at a local level is established by certain retained policies within Islington’s UDP. The standards:

• build upon those that define Lifetime Homes
• reflect policy development at a national level towards a contemporary British Standard for accessible housing
• respond to local conditions
• contribute to the delivery of more inclusive communities

Stipulation on the design of housing suitable for permanent and sustainable occupation by a wheelchair user (10% of all new housing) is drawn from Habinteg Housing Association’s guide. This allows for the fact that not every unit will immediately or continuously be occupied by a wheelchair user and that individual needs and domestic arrangements vary. 

The document replaces SPG 2002: Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair Users Housing and the Interim Planning Guidance: Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair Users Housing (2006).

The draft SPD was consulted upon during the six-week period from 15 September to 3 November 2008.

Download the following documents below:

• Accessible Housing SPD (PDF file)
• Adoption statement (PDF file)
• Key decision report setting out consultation responses (PDF file)

More information on Lifetime Homes can be found under Useful Websites, on the right-hand side of this page.

Plans and Access Statements

Plans and Access Statements submitted with Planning Applications will be expected to indicate how relevant standards will be met. For residential developments the level of detail required is significant; internal layouts must be shown and relevant services indicated.

Full details on Access Statements are available by clicking the link on the left-hand side of this page.

For more information, download the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster's (ODPM's) "Planning and Access for Disabled People: A Good Practice Guide" document by clicking on the link below.

Further advice

The council's Access officers are available to provide advice on legislation, policies and good practice. Contact Emma Luddington or Clare Goodridge, in the Planning Policy and Projects Team.

Emma Luddington
Email: emma.luddington@islington.gov.uk

Clare Goodridge
Email: clare.goodridge@islington.gov.uk

Phone: 020 7527 2394
Fax: 020 7527 2731