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

Annex S – Section 19 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide: External facilities

The clauses within Section 19 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 specifically for older or disabled people, dwellings specifically for older and disabled people, or dwellings specifically for wheelchair users, 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. In the case of the clauses that we are proposing to retain within the updated guide, the design criteria that we are proposing to include ‘as standard’ in projects 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 whether any of these clauses are proposed to be introduced into building standards and guidance to implement the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard.

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.

19 External facilities

19.1 Access

Access to all external facilities should be as Section 7.3.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Remove – this clause would not be included in the updated guide given the proposals for Section 7.3, as set out in Annex G of this consultation paper.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Not standard design criteria.

19.2 Private external sitting areas and gardens

19.2.1 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Where gardens are provided they should generally be small. Many people, while appreciating an external area will not be able to cope with the upkeep of a lawn and it is therefore of benefit if the garden is of a size that can reasonably be mostly paved and with a slope shallower than 1:20. However with family houses designed for wheelchair use the size and form of the garden should be as for general housing, though incorporating the features given below.

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.

19.2 Private external sitting areas and gardens

19.2.2 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Gardens should incorporate an area of paving that can be used as a sitting area. For people who are unable to bend to ground level a raised planting bed should be provided. The planting bed should have a maximum width of 1200mm and have a clear paved area around it at least 1200mm wide. The soil surface should be 600mm – 850mm from the ground and have a toe recess. For wheelchairs users the base should be recessed by 175mm to a height of 300mm.

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.

19.2 Private external sitting areas and gardens

Fig 19.1 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Raised planting bed

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Remove – superseded by the proposals set out within Chapter 2 of this consultation paper.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Figure only.

19.3 Clothes drying

19.3.1 Dwellings specifically for older and disabled people: Where there is suitable external space such as a garden, facilities for clothes drying should be provided. The full extent of the washing line should be accessible on a hard surface.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in dwellings specifically for older and disabled people in cases where there is suitable external space.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

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

19.3 Clothes drying

19.3.2 Dwellings specifically for wheelchair users: Where external clothes drying is provided there should be either a height adjustable rotary drier or a winch operated line.

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 wheelchair users in cases where external clothes drying is provided.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

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

19.4 Refuse storage

19.4.1 The form of container and the arrangements for collection of refuse will depend on the local authority.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although the text would be updated to acknowledge that more than one container for refuse storage may be provided by the local authority.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Not standard design criteria.

19.4 Refuse storage

Refuse storage will be provided to comply with the Technical Standards [3], Part R, but the location and design of this must meet the local authority requirements.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although reference to Technical Standards would not be included in the updated guide.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Not standard design criteria.

19.4 Refuse storage

All hoppers for refuse chute systems should be 600mm – 700mm from the ground and have a laying shelf alongside them.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain

Please note that these design criteria would require to be delivered ‘as standard’ in future in cases where refuse chute systems are provided.

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

Exception B Clause falls out of scope of building regulations.

19.4 Refuse storage

19.4.2 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: If the occupants are responsible for transporting the refuse to the road, it may be preferable for the storage to be at the front of the dwelling in a screened or enclosed area, rather than in a rear garden.

Proposed Housing for Varying Needs update

Retain – although the following sentence would be added at the end of the clause ‘The location and design of this storage must meet the local authority requirements.’

Proposals for the Scottish Accessible Homes Standard

Not applicable

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

19.4 Refuse storage

19.4.3 Dwellings for wheelchair users: A wheelchair user will require the top of the refuse container to be no more than 1000mm from the ground. Where refuse has to be deposited into a container higher than this there will need to be a raised platform with a step free approach.

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.