Question 9 relates to the adoption of new optional technical housing standards issued by the Government. It also relates to RDC's proposal to require a % of dwellings for "older people".

Access Standards- The DaSa proposes to require 25% of new dwellings to meet the enhanced access standard M4(2) of the Building Regulations, with an additional 5% being built to M4(3)(a) on sites of 50+ dwellings. The DaSA acknowledges that this policy approach will impact on viability, however no viability assessment has been published which demonstrates that RDC has fully considered the implications.

Notwithstanding the need for a Local Plan viability assessment, the flexibility provided in the wording of the draft policy, which allows for non-compliance where the applicant can demonstrate that it is not practical or financially viable to deliver the standards is welcomed. However, it is considered that reference should be also made to instances where site-specific circumstances prevent enhanced accessibility or adaptable standards from being met. In this regard the PPG Paragraph: 008 Reference ID: 56-008-20160519) states:

Local Plan policies should also take into account site specific factors such as vulnerability to flooding, site topography, and other circumstances which may make a specific site less suitable for M4(2) and M4(3) compliant dwellings, particularly where step free access cannot be achieved or is not viable. Where step-free access is not viable^ neither of the Optional Requirements in Part M should be applied.