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

Annex C – Section 3 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide: Location of housing

The clauses within Section 3 of Part 1 of the current Housing for Varying Needs design guide are set out in the table below. Where a clause relates to dwellings specifically for older or disabled people, this is highlighted within the table.

3 Location of housing

3.1 The needs

3.1.1 Location is an important factor in the desirability and convenience of all housing, and it becomes critical for people as they get older and for people with any form of mobility problem.

3.1.2 It is very easy to be idealistic about where housing should be located, when in reality compromises may have to be made depending on what land, or existing housing, is available. However the suitability of a site or location for housing that is specifically for people with mobility problems should be considered and weighed in light of the need for convenient access, in terms of distance, gradient and available public transport, to reach the facilities needed for independent day-to-day living. Also part of the consideration is the need for a supportive social environment and a sense of integration within the community.

3.2 The topography of the land

People with mobility problems cannot cope with more than a slight slope, either immediately surrounding the dwelling, or within its environs. All access routes should be in accordance with Chapter 4.

3.3 Access to facilities

3.3.1 People leading independent lives must be able to reach various facilities:

• public transport
• shops and other commercial facilities (food, chemist, day-to-day needs, post office, bank)
• health services, and
• community and recreational facilities (place of worship, library, pub, cafe).

3.3.2 For people who have regular use of a car, either as a driver or a passenger, reaching facilities is unlikely to be a problem. For others, distances that can comfortably be travelled will vary considerably from person to person and will be affected by their ability to use public transport, the gradients of access routes and, for wheelchair users, the standard of surfacing encountered.

3.3.3 For a location to be considered ‘convenient’ for people who do not walk easily and who do not have the use of public transport or a car, the distance from a dwelling to the facility should be taken to be no more than 600 metres.

3.3.4 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Recommended walking distances that can be made without a rest, for people with various impairments are given in Revised Guidelines for: Reducing Mobility Handicaps [9] as: - Wheelchair users – 150m - Visually impaired – 150m - Stick users – 50m, and - Ambulatory without walking aid – 100m.

3.3.5 Dwellings specifically for older or disabled people: Consideration should be made for people who need to have facilities at a shorter distance, or public transport within 200 metres of a dwelling. Convenient public transport is also important to bring visitors to people who may themselves be unable to get out and about.

3.4 The social environment

In areas of high social stress the provision of housing specifically for people with particular needs should be considered with care. Many such people are particularly vulnerable and unless they are well integrated in the community, living in such areas may present additional problems.

3.5 The integration of housing

Housing that is designed for specifically for people with particular needs should be integrated with housing in general and should not give the occupants a sense of isolation or cut them off from the activity of the neighbourhood. However, some people, especially as they grow older, may prefer to be separate from family housing and have control over their contact with children and young people, as they can find groups of children at play annoying and even threatening. A balance therefore has to be drawn and will vary depending on the social characteristics of the area.