Questions to the Mayor of London – answered at on 17 May 2019.
How will the London Plan ensure Inclusive Design principles explicitly consider the accessibility needs of people with cognitive impairment, as well as those with physical disabilities?
The draft London Plan seeks to deliver Good Growth – growth that is economically and socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable – and, in line with the Alzheimer’s Societies’ Dementia Friendly Community principles and Dementia Friendly London aims, contains policy requirements for the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design to be met. An inclusive design approach takes into account the requirements of people with a range of disabilities or impairments, not just people with physical impairments.
Policy D3 Inclusive design signposts the British Standard guidance BS8300:2018 Design of an accessible and inclusive environment, which provides the latest national design guidance. This guidance explains that ‘efforts have been made to include reference to people’s neurological requirements in this revision and extension of BS 8300; however, further work is required in this area.’ In recognition of this, Policy D3 also states that ‘The Mayor will assist boroughs and other agencies in implementing an inclusive design approach by…continuing to contribute to the development of national technical standards’.
When new national design guidance on this matter is produced, developments will need to follow the guidance to meet the requirements of Policy D3.