§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the definition of a steeply sloping plot within Part M of the Building Regulations which come into force in October will be based solely on the topography of the site. [81445]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe new Approved Document for Part M of the Building Regulations makes no reference to the topography of the site, as this will change with excavation and earth moving. A steeply sloping plot is defined as a plot gradient of more than 1 in 15. Plot gradient is defined as the gradient measured between the finished floor level of the dwelling and the point of access, which is the point at which a person visiting a dwelling would normally alight from a vehicle prior to approaching the dwelling. This point may be within or outside the plot. The guidance in the Approved Document anticipates that in most circumstances it should be possible to provide a level or ramped approach and a stepped approach would be the exception, used only when unavoidable.