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Access for Disabled People
If you are erecting, extending or altering a building, other than a dwelling, you should be making provision for access and facilities for people with disabilities as part of the development.
It is a legal requirement under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970, that buildings to which the public are admitted, places of employment and education, should be accessible to disabled people and that sanitary conveniences and suitable parking facilities should be provided when reasonable and practicable. These requirements are reinforced by the Disabled Persons Act 1981.
Access for people with disabilities can be a material consideration in dealing with planning applications. There are also minimum requirements on access and facilities for disabled people that have to be met under the Building Regulations.
The Council has adopted a policy to improve access in Spelthorne. It will therefore be looking carefully at applications to ensure that suitable provision is made.
This leaflet highlights some of the main aspects of developments where provision for people with disabilities should be made. However, it is NOT a statement of all requirements and your attention is also drawn to the sources of further information at the end of the leaflet for more detailed guidance.
General Requirements
People's requirements vary according to the type of disability:
Blind or Partially Sighted
  • "Stable" environment avoiding moveable objects and low overhead projections.
  • Texture contrasts underfoot to aid location and warm of hazards.
  • Good lighting and colour contrasts to aid partially sighted people.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Clear signposting.
  • Induction loops for users of hearing aids.
Wheelchair Users
  • Alternative to steps (e.g. ramps and lifts).
  • Space to manoeuvre a wheelchair and accessible controls and handles.
  • Smooth non-slip surfaces.
  • Reserved car parking close to the facility served.
Ambulant Disabled
(able to walk but dependent on artificial aids or restricted to a very limited range)
  • Steps as well as ramps.
  • Ample seating.
  • Easily gripped handrails.
Some Specific Requirements
Entrances
  • Main public and staff entrances should be accessible to people with disabilities.
  • Where the entrance is not flush with its surroundings then a suitable ramp must be provided to serve wheelchair users.
  • If a ramp is provided, an alternative stepped approach will also be needed, if practicable.
  • Minimum door opening width of 800 mm for a single door or one leaf of double doors.
  • Thresholds to be flush avoiding steps.
Inside the Building
  • Basic facilities should be at main entrance level.
  • Lobbies must allow wheelchair manoeuvre between doors.
  • Minimum clear width of internal doors 750 mm.
  • Minimum clear width of corridors 1200 mm.
  • Suitable lifts required to all floors intended to be accessible to disabled people.
  • Specially designed lavatories suitable for wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people must be provided.
  • Projections from walls, obstacles in corridors and hazardous surfaces should be avoided.
  • Counters should be accessible to wheelchair users.
Outside the Building
  • Car parks serving all buildings intended to be accessible to disabled people should make special provision for reserved parking.
  • Parking spaces for disabled people should be clearly signposted, be as close as possible to an accessible entrance to the building served and be wide enough to enable wheelchair transfer to and from the car (preferable 3.6 m).
  • Paths should be level avoiding steps, suitable for wheelchair users and have clearly defined edges.
Controls and Signs
  • All facilities for disabled people should be signposted clearly.
  • Controls and signs should be accessible and highlighted to assist partially sighted people. Tactile controls and signs are encouraged to help blind people.
Other requirements
Particular types of buildings and facilities have special requirements, e.g. shops, hotels, restaurants, premises with audience seating, cash dispensers. See 'Information and Advice' for further guidance.
Information and Advice
More detailed guidance on making provision for disabled people in developments is contained in the Council's publication - "Access for Disabled People: Guidance Notes" (Revised June 1992). This also contains a statement of Council policy on access for disabled people. It is available, free of charge, from the address below.
The Council has designated an "Access Officer" who can give advice on all aspects of provision for disabled people. Contact the Planning Section for more information.
Additionally, detailed advice on requirements under the Building Regulations can be obtained from the Chief Building Control Surveyor, Ken Saunders, on 01784 446371.