Policy DH11
Inclusive design
All development proposals should meet the highest standards of accessibility and inclusive design to ensure that buildings, public spaces/public realm; alongside private amenity spaces are safe and easy to use by all. All development should:
a) provide safe and level access to buildings, ensuring that internal facilities, and communal areas are accessible by all.
b) provide car parking spaces for blue badge holders in accordance with Local Plan Policy T4 and relevant British Standards.
c) provide safe access to public transport from building entrances to key infrastructure, such as tube/railway stations, bus stops and cycle infrastructure.
Development proposals which trigger the submission of a Design and Access Statement should include an Inclusive Design statement either as part of this document, or as a standalone document.
Housing developments
Major housing developments should ensure that the development complies with Local Plan Policy H05 (Accessible housing), of the Local Plan and delivers the required levels of accessible and adaptable housing, in accordance Part M of the Building Regulations. For all housing developments, including provision of specialist accommodation, such as residential care homes or extra care accommodation, internal circulation, communal areas/services and external amenity spaces should be designed for the needs of future occupiers and specific user groups, providing safe access, circulation and egress of all residents during the occupation of the building.
Publicly accessible developments
All developments that allow for access by the general public, including new build developments, or change-of-use, extensions or alteration to an existing commercial premises should:
- provide Level access entrance thresholds, relevant circulation areas, accessible and internal/external communal areas, provision of appropriate lift and sanitary facilities, to maximise use and opportunity for all.
- ensure new and replacement shopfronts provide level access for all and ensure that any ancillary functions, such as ATMs and external counter services are designed to be inclusive and accessible.
Extensions and alterations to existing properties
Extension and alterations to existing properties, including those with heritage designations should provide inclusive access to both internal and external spaces. The council will expect that due regard is given to the significance of such assets in the provision of inclusive access for all.
Public realm and new public/private spaces
Where new developments provide open spaces, either as public spaces or private amenity/ play space these spaces should:
- ensure inclusive access by all user groups, including spaces for children, multigenerational use, and providing safe spaces for women and girls.
- provide landscaping, materials, lighting and wayfinding to assist the safe and legible function of buildings and spaces by a range of user groups
Inclusive Design Review Panel
For major developments, applicants will be expected to undertake engagement with residents to ensure that development meets the needs of all future users and occupiers. As part of this engagement, the council will encourage applicants to engage with the council's Inclusive Design Review Panel (IDRP) as part of the design review process to ensure inclusive design.
8.79 Inclusive design makes places usable by everyone, regardless of age, ability and circumstance, based on the principle that designing for the widest range of people creates better designs and benefits everyone. The way places are designed affects our ability to move, see, hear and communicate effectively.
8.80 The council expect that all development will achieve high quality and inclusive design for all development, including individual buildings, public and private spaces and wider regeneration schemes. The needs of disabled people should be considered at the earliest stages of planning a development. This should include consideration at the concept design stage to completion and occupation.
Design solutions
8.81 The consideration of different needs for different groups and barriers to inclusion should be considered as early as possible within the design process. Applicants are encouraged to use creative design solutions that integrate inclusive features. Many of these features can improve accessibility for multiple groups – for example, parents with children in pushchairs or people carrying heavy shopping benefit from many of the same features that are essential for wheelchair users.
8.82 New development should contribute to an inclusive and legible built environment. Developments should include good demarcation of different parts of the public realm or a building. 8.83 Relatively simple design interventions, such as the use of colour, tonal and textural contrast, can result in positive differences for people with impaired vision, and improve ease of use, comprehension and understanding regardless of physical or cognitive abilities.
Inclusive design review panel
8.84 Applications for major development will be expected to engage with the local community to ensure that development meets the needs of future occupiers and users. The council will encourage applicants to make engage with the council's Inclusive Design Review Panel (IDRP). The IDRP is a resident-led panel set up and managed by the council to provide advice on planning applications and help the Hammersmith and Fulham become the most accessible borough in England, using inclusive design principles.
8.85 The IDRP focuses on applications that include:
- major developments with 10 or more housing units
- major office developments
- public buildings e.g. schools and colleges, hospitals, GP surgeries, theatres, community centres and sports facilities
- public open space (e.g. around housing developments, public buildings, offices, hotels).