05/05/2011

Inclusion London worked with other disabled people's organisations, equality groups and voluntary sector organisations to demand improvements that could help deliver a more inclusive city. The Inspectorate's report supports some important improvements Inclusion London wanted.

We wanted the Mayor to improve his proposals for transport, lifetime homes space standards and inclusive design, for example. We objected to the Mayor's reduction in plans to improve step-free access to the tube and we wanted improvements that would deliver lifetime environments and better space standards for Lifetime Homes.

The Inspectorate has made a number of recommendations on these and other issues on which we presented evidence to the Panel. On lifetime neighbourhoods and inclusive design, the Inspectorate recommends a firmer approach, including more consultation with user groups. On transport, the Inspectorate's report recommends firmer commitments to access, so that it is clear the Mayor is 'seeking to secure step-free access to public transport wherever feasible'. It also proposes the Mayor adds specific references to 'step free access' when tube and rail refurbishments are mentioned in the London Plan, and calls for another new addition to policy 6.1 to commit to 'Wherever practical provide step-free bus access'.

The Planning Inspectorate has recommended the mayor of London should aim to ensure that 50 per cent of housing built in the capital should be affordable.

As Housing Today reports, the Inspectorate also recommends that the Mayor ‘should aspire towards securing 50 per cent of all new housing as affordable housing across London as a whole’.

The Inspectorate’s recommendations are not binding, but the Mayor is meant to take them into account. The final London Plan is awaited.

The EIP Panel Report can be viewed online at: www.london.gov.uk/london-plan-eip

You can view Inclusion London's submissions from the following link: http://www.inclusionlondon.co.uk/plan-for-a-more-accessible-london