Jan 162026
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has a consultation seeking views on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), alongside other changes to the planning system.
The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 10 March 2026.
Of particular relevance to disabled people is a proposal on page 43, which includes:
Requiring authorities to set out the proportion of new housing that should be delivered to M4(2) and M4(3) standards of the Building Regulations, to ensure plans adequately provide for the accessibility needs of an ageing population and the needs of disabled people. Authorities would be required to meet or exceed their locally assessed need for M4(2) housing.The government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards, formalising best practice and increasing provision in areas without clear requirements. This doesn’t mean that they need to meet wheelchair accessible standards and is not enough. We would be asking for at least 10% of any new buil homes meet accessible wheelchair standards.
The full consultation can be accessed here, should you wish to contribute:
- Requirement M4(2), introduced in 2015, sets a higher standard for accessible homes, which is broadly equivalent to the Lifetime Homes Standard. Known as “Category 2: Accessible and adaptable dwellings”.
- Requirement M4(3) sets a standard for wheelchair accessible homes. Known as “Category 3: Wheelchair user dwellings”.
Categories M4(2) and M4(3) are optional requirements which local authorities can apply through local planning policies where they have identified a local need and where the viability of development is not compromised.
