Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes: consultation

Annex K – Section 11 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide: living and sleeping areas

The clauses within Section 11 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide are set out in the table starting on the next page. Where a clause relates to dwellings for wheelchair users, or dwellings specifically for older or disabled people, this is highlighted within the table.

Column 3 of the table shows our proposal for each clause for the update to Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide. The design criteria that we are proposing to include ‘as standard’ in future dwellings delivered to Housing for Varying Needs standards through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme for each category of need – and to accommodation delivered through the Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund (or subsequent funding) where the standard is relevant in Gypsy/Traveller accommodation – are highlighted in the third column of the table.

Informed by the proposals detailed in Chapter 3, column 4 shows which clauses are proposed to be introduced into building standards and guidance to implement the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard, along with those that are not applicable for inclusion.

It is important to note that the final proposals contained in the table will be subject to change based upon the outcome of the consultation.

11 Living and sleeping areas

11.1 The needs

11.1.1 Rooms must be of a size and shape that when furnished they allow space for circulation and access to each item of furniture and to windows, heating appliances, etc. To assess compliance with these criteria nominal furniture and associated activity spaces of the sizes shown in Figs 11.1, 11.3 and 11.4 should be assumed. A 600mm wide ‘path’ must be allowed for the necessary circulation. The ‘path’ may overlap activity spaces.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.1 The needs

11.1.2 Dwellings for wheelchair users: The ‘path’ must be 800mm wide and there must be space for a wheelchair to turn through 180^o, i.e. a circular area of 1500mm diameter (see 2.5.1), in living rooms and bedrooms designed for wheelchair use.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

See Chapter 2 for key proposed update.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.2 Living rooms

11.2.1 Notional furniture must be allowed for as follows:

• easy seating for the number of bedspaces plus two
• bookcase/ storage fitment(s) with a total length of 2000mm and height of 1500mm
• television
• occasional table, and
• a desk or work space with chair in dwellings for three or more people (which may be located elsewhere in the dwelling).

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

See Chapter 2 for key proposed update.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.2 Living rooms

Fig 11.1 Living room furniture and activity spaces, minimum dimension

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although this figure would be updated to reflect a more modern style of television.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.2 Living rooms

11.2.2 Circulation routes through the living room to the kitchen or garden should be as short and unobtrusive as possible.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Not standard design criteria.

11.2 Living rooms

11.2.3 Dwellings for wheelchair users: Wheelchair users may require space in the living area for bulky items of equipment such as portable hoists and standing frames. They may also wish to transfer to an easy chair and therefore there needs to be space for a wheelchair in addition to the furniture listed above.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that the design criterion set out in the second sentence would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings for wheelchair users.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.2 Living rooms

Fig 11.2 Examples of seating layouts

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although this figure would be updated to reflect (a) the proposed update to clause 11.1.2, as set out within Chapter 2 of this consultation paper, and (b) a more modern style of television.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.3 Dining space

11.3.1 Notional furniture must be allowed for as follows: - dining table and chairs, or space for a wheelchair, for the number of bedspaces plus occasional visitors, and - sideboard/ dresser if this area is in a separate dining room.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.3 Dining space

11.3.2 The dining space should be within easy reach of the kitchen.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that this design criterion would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.3 Dining space

11.3.3 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: For convenience there is much to commend the eating area being in the kitchen. Where it is not in the kitchen there should be no more than one door between it and the kitchen.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that this design criterion would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings specifically for older or disabled people.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.3 Dining space

Fig 11.3 Dining area furniture and activity spaces, minimum dimensions

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.1 Notional furniture must be allowed for as follows: - bed or beds - for each bed space - 600mm minimum run of hanging space - drawer units 1000mm high and totalling 1200mm in length, and - bedside table. Where built-in shelved storage is provided in conjunction with built-in hanging space, this may replace some, but not all, of the drawer unit requirement.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.4 Bedrooms

Fig 11.4 Bedroom furniture and activity spaces, minimum dimensions

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.4 Bedrooms

Fig 11.5(a) Examples of typical bedroom layouts

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.4 Bedrooms

Fig 11.5(b) Examples of typical bedroom layouts

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.2 Double bedrooms should be able to accommodate two single beds to allow for different types of households. This is particularly so in dwellings intended to accommodate two people but with only one bedroom. All bedrooms in this situation should allow for two single beds. In other dwellings all but one double bedroom should allow for two single beds.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.3 At least one bedroom in all dwellings must allow for wheelchair access from the door to alongside a bed with a ‘path’ from the door and clear space beside the bed at least 800mm wide.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Include (see Chapter 3, Table 1).

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.4 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: People with any form of mobility problem have difficulty making a bed that is positioned close to a wall. Also if a person needs nursing attention, access from both sides of the bed can be helpful. Therefore bedrooms for the use of older or disabled people must be able to accommodate a bed with access space on three sides.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that the design criterion set out in the third sentence would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings specifically for older or disabled people.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.5 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Some frail or disabled people may be confined to bed over long periods. For such a situation the location of the bedroom in relation to the living areas of family dwellings and the aspect from the window are important. Also the need for outlets and controls that can be operated from the bed should be allowed for. This may include telephone, radio, TV, alarm system, entry phone, etc as well as the usual lighting (see Sections 18.2 and 18.5).

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.6 Dwellings for wheelchair users: In family houses there should be a double bedroom with space for a double or two single beds, whichever best suits the occupants, and a single bedroom, both suitable for a wheelchair user.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings for wheelchair users.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.7 Dwellings for wheelchair users: Other bedrooms should be accessible in a wheelchair and allow for wheelchair access alongside a bed so that, for instance, a disabled parent could attend to a child in bed.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings for wheelchair users.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.8 Dwellings for wheelchair users:

A bedroom for wheelchair use should have built-in clothes hanging space and shelved clothes storage which is purpose built to be used by someone in a wheelchair. The space should have a minimum clear depth of 600mm and a hanging rail that can be set at a height of 1400mm – 1500mm from the floor. In other respects the space should be as the requirements for general storage (see 12.2.3). The bedroom should also have storage for a wheelchair and other pieces of special equipment (see 12.2.4).

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings for wheelchair users.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.4 Bedrooms

11.4.9 Dwellings for wheelchair users: Some people will require a hoist to transport them between their bed and the bathroom and the layout of the bedroom should allow for this. (See Section 14.10).

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception C Clause applies to housing designed for specific user group.

11.4 Bedrooms

Fig 11.6(a) Dwellings for wheelchair users: Examples of bedroom layouts for wheelchair users

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although the figure would be updated to reflect the proposed updated to clause 11.1.2, as set out in Chapter 2 of this consultation paper.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

11.4 Bedrooms

Fig 11.6(b) Dwellings for wheelchair users: Examples of layouts for wheelchair users

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although the figure would be updated to reflect the proposed updated to clause 11.1.2, as set out in Chapter 2 of this consultation paper.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.