Written question WQ99209
- Asked by
- Gareth ThomasReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm how many homes built to M4(3) (wheelchair user) standards are being allocated within new developments in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend County Borough, and what proportion this represents of total housing delivery?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
Welsh Government’s design standard for new social homes funded with Social Housing Grant, Welsh Development Quality Requirements 2021, references the Lifetime Homes Standard as a recognised means to ensure that new homes meet most reasonable needs of the widest range of people now and in the future. Homes achieving these standards provide homes that are thoughtfully designed, accessible and more readily adaptable to longer term needs.
In addition, Planning Policy Wales and Building Regulations promote inclusive design and the provision of accessible and adaptable housing. While no national percentage requirement is set, Local Authorities may include policies in Local Development Plans requiring a proportion of new homes to meet accessibility standards (e.g. M4(2) and M4(3)), based on identified local need. New homes are required to be built to Part M of the Building Regulations which sets out standards for accessibility.
Four new housing developments across the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, supported by Welsh Government Social Housing Grant, are now underway. Together, they will deliver 180 additional homes that meet the Welsh Development Quality Requirements (WDQR).