Changes to current regulations

M ACCESSIBILITY Baseline regulation for Category 1 (Part M), Category 2 (version of LTH’s) and Category 3 (wheelchair standards). LA’s opt-in and apply by condition subject to need and viability assessment.

G WATER Baseline regulation (Part G) at current 125 litres/person/day. Optional higher standard of 110 l/p/d in water stressed areas through LA opt-in.

H WASTE Amended regulation (Part H); additional measures with guidance on waste storage to tackle bin-blight.

L ENERGY The new government does not intend to proceed with the zero carbon Allowable Solutions carbon off setting scheme, or the proposed 2016 increase in on-site energy effi ciency standards, but will keep energy effi ciency standards under review.

New regulation

Q SECURITY New baseline regulation (Part Q) for security of building envelope; doors and windows (PAS 24).

New planning standard

NdSS SPACE Nationally described Space Standard for England (incl. GLA); new single level space standard, cross- tenure. LA’s opt-in and apply by condition subject to need and viability assessment.

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Housing Standards Update 2015 What This Means For Housing Development @PRP_News#HousingStandards

ALL CHANGE… OUTGoneCode for Sustainable Homes Design and Quality Standards

No other technical standardsLifetime Homes Design GuideWheelchair Housing Design GuideSecured by Design: New Homes

Planning standards safeBuilding for Life 12

Being revisedLondon Design Standards: Housing SPG

ALL CHANGE… IN

ACCESSIBILITY Approved Document Part M3 new optional requirements set by LA at planning stage. Dwellings must meet the requirements of M4(1) unless a condition is imposed to meet the requirements of M4(2) or M4(3).

Approved Document Part M4 (1) Category 1: Visitable dwellingsNo change to the technical requirements of existing AD Part M, Sections 6 -10.

Approved Document Part M4 (2) Category 2: Accessible and adaptable dwellings• Optional Requirement

• Broadly equivalent to the LTH Standard, however: - step-free access required to dwelling; - no requirement for a through-fl oor-lift, hoist,

temporary bed space at entrance level or turning circles in living or dining spaces;

- stair width minimum 850mm; - modifi ed wc approach zone;

Approved Document Part M4 (3) Category 3: Wheelchair user dwellings• Optional Requirement;

• Provides a distinction between wheelchair adaptable dwellings (those which are constructed with the potential to be adapted for occupation by a wheelchair user) and wheelchair accessible dwellings (those which are constructed for immediate occupation by a wheelchair user).

• Minimum hall or landing width 1050mm;

• Minimum door width 850mm, irrespective of the direction of entry;

• Minimum areas of general built-in storage to be provided based on number of bedrooms;

• Minimum combined fl oor areas for living/dining/kitchen space;

• Minimum length of kitchen worktop;

• Diff erent clear approach zones around items of sanitaryware specifi ed for wheelchair adaptable/wheelchair accessible dwellings and situations.

John Chapman, Director020 7653 3490 07802 234 882j.chapman@prp-co.uk

Andy von Bradsky, Consultant 020 7653 3424 07850 102 165a.vonbradsky@prp-co.uk

Contact

Chart based on original by Levitt Bernstein

Nov 2015

WATER Approved Document Part G• Revised document;

• Calculated water use to be no more than 125 litres per person per day;

• Optional requirement of 110 litres per person per day imposed by planning requirement where there is a local need demonstrated by evidence of water stress. GLA proposing to adopt this standard.

WASTE Approved Document Part H• Revised document

• Amended in an attempt to tackle “bin blight” through design;

• Will also apply where a dwelling is provided through a material change of use;

• Guidance on recycling in BS5906:2005;

• Guidance in “Avoiding rubbish design” (NHBC)

• Sets out minimum Gross Internal Areas for new dwellings;

• Sets minimum storage requirements based on number of bedrooms;

• Applicable where a condition, which is derived from a policy within a local plan, is applied to a planning permission, subject to ensuring that viability is not affected;

• Applies across all tenures across England;

• Responsibility for compliance, and subsequent enforcement, will rest with LPA;

Flats or other one storey units Houses or other two storey units

STANDARDS IN LONDON• Consultation on the GLA’s ‘Housing Standards

Minor Alterations to the London Plan’, to bring the London Plan in line with new national housing standards and car parking policy, has now closed;

• The MALP was considered at a public examination in October with a view to publishing/adoption in early 2016;

• Revised Draft Interim Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance is currently being consulted on;

• A revised version of the Housing Design Guide, badged as a Best Practice Guidance Document, may be published to support the SPG;

• The London Plan and SPG will be mandatory for all 33 Boroughs;

SECURITY Approved Document Part Q • New document;

• Focuses on security standards for doors and windows only, to meet BS PAS 24:2012;

• Doors and windows that demonstrate compliance with ‘Secured by Design’ provisions will also meet AD Part Q;

• Future of “SbD New Homes 2014” unclear as cannot be mandated by Local Authorities.

• The SPG will strongly encourage a 2.5m ceiling height, for at least 75% of the dwelling, but will not require it;

• Boroughs that have existing plans to exceed CfSH*4 energy targets will be supported by the GLA;

• The London Plan is proposing 90% of all dwellings to M4(2) i.e. step free access and 10% of all dwellings to M4(3) i.e. wheelchair user dwelling.

SPECIALIST HOUSING• Generally falls somewhere between AD Part M4

Category 2 and Category 3 in terms of accessibility;

• Category of accessibility (determined by planning condition) will be critical;

• Clients briefs will determine standards.

• Ceiling height to be 2.3m minimum for at least 75% of the Gross Internal Area;

• Single bedrooms to have a floor area of at least 7.5m2 and be at least 2.15m wide;

• Double (or twin bedroom) to have a floor area of at least 11.5m2;

• One double (or twin bedroom) to be at least 2.75m wide and every other double (or twin) bedroom to be at least 2.55m wide.

SPACE New Nationally described Space Standard (NdSS)

CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES (CFSH)Withdrawn from the end of March 2015• From the end of March, only legacy projects with

an existing planning consent which has a condition requiring a Code assessment can be assessed under it;

• Local Authorities can no longer stipulate in planning policy that Code assessments are required (local plans to be changed);

• Code assessments can still be registered for legacy projects but this will be time limited;

• New voluntary sustainability assessment methods from 1 October 2015.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE • Local Authorities can continue to set policy and

apply energy performance standards for new homes that exceed current Building Regulations Part L 2013, but are not expected to require energy performance above that required by Code Level 4 (19% CO2 emission reduction on Part L 2013); GLA requires 35% CO2 emission reduction on Part L 2013 in London Plan;

• Where local plans require decentralised energy to be considered in accordance with the NPPF – this will be maintained;

• Planning and Energy Act 2008 (proportion of energy from LZC sources or energy efficiency above Building Regulation). Powers to set energy efficiency standards above Building Regulations to be removed.

PART L 2016 & ZERO CARBON• ‘Fixing the Foundations’ statement of 10 July 2015

stated that zero carbon allowable solutions will not be introduced nor will enhanced energy efficiency standards be introduced in 2016;

• However, energy efficiency standards will be kept under review;

• EU requirements to carry out cost optimal review in 2017, may impact on Part L, would be implemented in 2021.

APPLICATION• Local Authority to review requirements

and amend Local Plans;

• Optional Requirements / Space Standard embedded in Local Plan subject to need and viability tests;

• Pre-application discussions to ensure policy appropriate to site specific application;

Housing Standards Review and Planning Linkages

Steps to system

ProcessIssue approved documents and regs

National Criteria are published (inc viability)

Issue planning written ministerial statement

System comes into operation

Local Plan includes optional requirements policies, via EIP (based on national criteria test and viability)

Pre-application discussions to ensure optional requirement is appropriate to specific applications

LPA imposes and informs the developer in writing of the optional requirement planning condition

Developer informs Building Control Body (BCB) of applicable optional requirement(s), if any

BCB to carry out building control functions (approval of plans, inspection and certification) in normal way

• LPA imposes conditions on planning permission;

• Developer informs Building Control of conditions;

• BCO manages compliance and informs LPA.

IMPLICATIONS

Positives• Minimum standards for quality

and sustainability• A benchmark for quality space

standards

• A level playing field – tenure blind• Certainty in the supply chain• Enables innovation• Impact on growth and scale

For Local Authorities• Partial Local Plan review and

review of local information requirements

• Evidenced need, impact on viability and timing for higher standards

• Introduce space standard and optional regulations

• ‘Pass-porting’ existing standards• Neighbourhood Plans• Implications for Design Guides• Building Control resources

For Housebuilders• Review standard type plans for

compliance• Types that comply with National

Space Standard

• Review specifications for: Security i.e. windows and doors Adaptable housing Waste storage arrangements

Lost• Indoor Air quality - not addressed

in Part F• Materials - no green specification• Internal daylight calculations• Zero carbon target

• Sound - should acoustic standards be enhanced?

• Ecology - planning matter; requires guidance

For RSL’s• RSL’s should enhance Brief and

Employers Requirements• Default to National Space

Standard as a safeguard• Require furnished layouts

• Consider if there are gaps in specification, eg:

Internal layouts; Daylighting; Overheating; Air quality/ventilation

For Designers• Space standards for type plans• Room dimensions and

ceiling heights• Storage• Category 2 housing –

step free access impact on 3 and 4 storey flats

• Adaptable housing requirements• Specification for security• Waste storage arrangements

Planning Policy (Local Plans) Planning Policy (New applications)

Building Regulations

TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS• Changes to Building Regulations to come into force

on 1 October 2015;

• Applications made before that date will be subject to current requirements only as long as they commence work on site before 1 October 2016;

• Transitional arrangements in place until 30 September 2015.