29 November 2006
28 November 2006
New Proposals to extend Building Bye-Laws
The Planning and Environment Minister has today published new proposals for amending the building bye-law requirements for access to and use of buildings.
These take account of comments received during a 3 month consultation exercise in July 2004 which was aimed at improving building standards with regard to access and facilities for disabled people.
The proposals are based on building regulations in other jurisdictions and Lifetime Home standards published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. They include:
1. Extending the bye-law requirements to all newly constructed dwellings, to ensure new homes are built which are accessible and useable by everyone including those who are frail or disabled.
2. Improving access standards for all public buildings to ensure that they meet the needs of disabled people.
3. Introducing new requirements for improvements to be made to existing public buildings when they are extended or materially altered.
Planning and Environment Minister, Senator Freddie Cohen said: “The proposals will foster a more inclusive approach to the design of buildings and will make a significant contribution to meeting the States strategic aim of providing a good standard of accommodation for all. I am confident these proposals will assist people who have reduced mobility and allow them to stay longer in their own homes as they get older”.
A copy of the consultation document can be obtained from the link below. Any final comments are welcome and should be returned to Morris Roscouet at the Planning Department, South Hill by the 31 December 2006.
Consultation Document
Document Type: Adobe PDF
Size: 0.86 MB