Accessible Housing in Local Plans 2018

In 2018 Habinteg assessed accessible housing requirements in place in local planning authorities across England. The research was collated and recorded by looking at the accessibility requirements in local plans across 263 out of a possible 365 local planning authorities across England.

The research shows how many local planning authorities across England mention accessible housing, but more importantly how many have committed to providing a proportion of accessible housing within their local plans.

The findings from the research showed 65% or 171 of 263 local planning authorities make reference to accessible housing the Lifetime Homes standard or Category 2.

References to wheelchair accessible housing or showed that 28.5% or 75 of 263 local planning authorities mentioned either the Wheelchair Housing Design standard or Category 3.

While these figures sound encouraging, the number of planning authorities which make a firm commitment to building all or a proportion of accessible housing, is 32% or 84 local planning authorities out of 263.

The number of planning authorities which require developers to build accessible housing has increased since our last review in 2013/14 when it stood at 24%.

Commitment to delivering wheelchair accessible housing is lower. 18% or 48 of 263 local authorities have committed to a proportion of housing units to be built to either the Wheelchair Housing Design Standard or Category 3.

You can find more details in the full report. If you would like to contact Habinteg for further information please email comms@habinteg.org.uk.

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