We firmly believe in the concept of homes being built to last a lifetime. We were amongst the first to adopt the principles of Lifetime Homes, believing that investment today is the key to improved quality of life for our residents in the future. Lifetime Homes are not specialist homes, but ordinary ones which have been carefully designed. They are fully accessible and easily adaptable at minimum cost, with minimum disruption.
We have always sought to encourage other housing providers, in the public and private sectors, to adopt the principles of universal, inclusive design. As many practices have become the norm, our own standards have moved forward. In embracing the principles of 'universal design', we are surpassing the standards of Lifetime Homes, both in design and specification.
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The published Lifetime Homes Criteria are:
- Parking space capable of widening to 3.6m
- Distance from car parking space kept to minimum
- Level or gently sloping approach to the Lifetime Home
- Level area outside front door and over the threshold covered and lit
- Provision for future stair lift
- Width of doors and hall to wheelchair access requirements
- Turning circles for wheelchair in ground floor living room
- Living room at entrance level
- Ground floor future bedspace
- Downstairs toilet or bathroom
- Wheelchair accessible ground floor toilet
- Walls able to take aids
- Provision for future house lift to bedroom
- Provision for future access from bedroom to bathroom
- Bathroom planned to give access to toilet and bath
- Low window sills
- Sockets and controls at low levels
