New Build - Is This A Hazard?

Section62

DJMB92 said:

In addition, there isn't the space to actually wheel a wheelchair around the corner of the ramp into the front door, so that throws that argument out the window...

On the contrary, insufficient space to manoeuvre a wheelchair in and out of the house makes it even more likely that the wheelchair user or an assistant could roll/step over the edge of that drop.

If they had left a lot of space between the front door and the edge then it might have been less of an issue.

I think this is more a case of guidance rather than building regs - e.g. IIRC NHBC guidance is that outdoor steps should have a rise of no more than 220mm.  It probably isn't intended to be a step, but the problem here is the lack of clarity over what it is.... it is in the danger zone between being a true retaining wall, or just being a step.

Woolsery

DJMB92 said:

In addition, there isn't the space to actually wheel a wheelchair around the corner of the ramp into the front door, so that throws that argument out the window...

That's your point of leverage then.

[Deleted User]

Commiserations on your new home. That does look likely to exceed the regulations for a step or for a drop without any kind of protection (i.e. a railing). Accessibility for people with mobility issues is a problem they need to fix too. They could so easily have done a better job...

DJMB92

Thanks guys - to confirm, just measured and it's between 38-40cm drop...

Soot2006

DJMB92 said:

Thanks guys - to confirm, just measured and it's between 38-40cm drop...

Definitely not a step but of course because of its location, any able bodied person will quickly get in the habit of hopping on and off. I had to add a little fence to my front garden to stop the postie stomping on my flower and climbed up a 60cm retaining wall as a short cut to the neighbour ... A handrail would be the most logical solution to this particular design - a nice, pretty one! Will also give the front door more privacy.

DJMB92

Soot2006 said:

DJMB92 said:

Thanks guys - to confirm, just measured and it's between 38-40cm drop...

Definitely not a step but of course because of its location, any able bodied person will quickly get in the habit of hopping on and off. I had to add a little fence to my front garden to stop the postie stomping on my flower and climbed up a 60cm retaining wall as a short cut to the neighbour ... A handrail would be the most logical solution to this particular design - a nice, pretty one! Will also give the front door more privacy.

Yeah, we're not too opposed to a handrail - but it's the question of this should really have been better designed/resolved by the developer/site foreman (I think I said, but in the dread architect's drawings these were steps). We just want to see if they'll play ball and try and help us lower it, or not...

LongoBongo

Your home is on a junction and the road looks like it goes uphill around the junction. The slab of the house needs to be flat and the slab level will generally be set to the back of footway level close to its highest point adjacent the house, this prevents having to either retain the highway or raise the DPC.

If your front door was around the corner it would probably be a flat exit onto the footway.

Not a great solution but it happens all the time when there's no front gardens. Even on flat sites it’s difficult to get this arrangement to work well when houses are so close to junctions and building regs part M needs to be adhered to.

RelievedSheff

[Deleted User] said:

Commiserations on your new home. That does look likely to exceed the regulations for a step or for a drop without any kind of protection (i.e. a railing). Accessibility for people with mobility issues is a problem they need to fix too. They could so easily have done a better job...

You only need a guard rail where the difference in level is 600mm or over. It isn't in this case so no guard rail is required.

DJMB92

Just spoken with the site-foreman - nothing they can do about the step at present (another layer of tarmac on the pavement should at least lower the drop (ever so slightly)) but he's offered to tarmac both patches of grass on either side. This is all fun and games!