NPPF changes could leave wheelchairs users no better off, specialist landlord warns

A Habinteg report last year found that 170 out of 311 local plans have no target for wheelchair users’ homes, while around a third of local plans already plan to develop at least 40% of their homes in line with the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard over the next 10 years.

Christina McGill, director of social impact and external affairs at Hainteg, said: “There is real concern that the proposed 40% minimum could be interpreted by time-poor planners as a target and effectively suppress delivery in what would otherwise have been more ambitious local plans.”

In 2022, the previous Conservative government had promised to raise accessibility standards of new homes to make the M4(2) standard the new baseline. Habinteg has called on the current government to uphold this pledge.

“We are deeply concerned that instead of changing the Building Regulations, the government proposes in the NPPF to leave it to local planning authorities to decide on the proportion of M4(2) and M4(3) homes that should be built over the lifespan of each plan, setting just a 40% minimum,” Ms McGill added.

“Ministers should do the right thing and uphold their predecessors’ commitment to make M4(2) the default for all new homes through building regulations.

“What the NPPF could and should do is to require all local plans to set a target for the proportion of new homes to meet M4(3) wheelchair user standards in each area.

“Without this, we can’t see a future where the housing needs of wheelchair users are met, and the shortfall will only grow over time.”

This latest warning from Habinteg comes as London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan was last month urged to give higher grants for “desperately needed” family-sized and accessible homes in the capital’s next affordable housing programme.