Ruth Hunter is joined by Lord Richard Best, one of the UK’s most influential voices in housing policy and a long-standing campaigner for Lifetime Homes and inclusive design.

Lord Best shares how the Lifetime Homes movement began, why accessibility progress has stalled, and what needs to change now — including making M4(2) the default through Building Regulations and creating trusted Good Home Hubs so people can get impartial support to adapt their homes before crisis hits.

The conversation also explores the power of major housebuilders, the economics of preventing falls, and why stigma and poor design still stop people from accepting adaptations.

• 00:00 — Welcome + introduction to Lord Richard Best

• 01:39 — The letter that changed everything: Dr Jenny Morris calls out a lack of accessibility

• 03:20 — Creating Lifetime Homes: the 16 principles and “homes for a whole lifetime”

• 05:00 — Housebuilders’ resistance and why standards work best when they’re mandatory

• 06:22 — The lift analogy: how regulation normalises better design

• 08:30 — Why we need to move beyond M4(1): the case for M4(2) as baseline

• 09:48 — Lifetime Homes vs specialist older persons’ housing: why both matter

• 11:31 — Falls, delayed discharge, and the real cost of inaccessible homes

• 12:56 — The biggest lever: upgrading Building Regulations (M4(2) as mandatory)

• 16:04 — The “oligopoly”: how a handful of major builders shape delivery

• 18:23 — Downsizing as a housing solution: accessible homes unlocking family stock

• 19:33 — A practical model: redeveloping underused garage sites into accessible homes

• 23:05 — Planning delays aren’t just policy — they’re resourcing and skills

• 26:14 — Retrofitting reality: we’ll never build enough new homes for an ageing population

• 28:42 — The “push factor”: why people act late, not early

• 30:03 — DFG support and why many people still don’t know where to start

• 31:03 — Equity loans for adaptations: unlocking value to fund home improvements

• 32:40 — BATH-OUT: why bathing is one of the most powerful adaptations

• 36:02 — Stigma and aesthetics: why people refuse adaptations (and what good design changes)

• 38:41 — Safety and “visual markers”: how poor exterior design can increase vulnerability

• 40:28 — Two priorities: upgrade regs + create Good Home Hubs

• 46:44 — Political churn: why progress keeps resetting (housing minister turnover)

• 48:46 — How to contact Lord Best

Accessible housing, Lifetime Homes, universal design, Building Regulations, Approved Document M, M4(1), M4(2), M4(3), inclusive design, ageing population, occupational therapy (OT), Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), home adaptations, walk-in showers, falls prevention, delayed discharge, social housing, planning system, housebuilder oligopoly, Good Home Hubs, Centre for Ageing Better, Habinteg, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Dr Jenny Morris

Lord Richard Best: best@parliament.uk

🔗 Connect with Lord Best on LinkedIn (search: Lord Best)

Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.com 📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.com 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth kicks off Season 2 with a deep dive into accessible bungalow design with small-scale developer Allan Craigen, founder and director of Level One Developments..

Allan shares his journey from running a scaffolding business to buying a modest plot of land at auction with the vision of creating a flagship accessible bungalow scheme. He and Ruth talk candidly about planning refusals over garden sizes, the true cost of surveys and drainage strategies, and why choosing the right architect and builder is absolutely critical when you’re aiming for more than just “wide doors and a ramp”.

They then dig into the nuts and bolts of inclusive design: hybrid M4(2)/M4(3) layouts, level thresholds instead of ramps, properly sized bathrooms and hallways, reinforced walls for future grab rails, and an accessible kitchen designed with input from accessibility specialist Adam Thomas. Allan is refreshingly honest about the mistakes, the extra costs (hello piling!), and what he’d do differently next time to make accessible development scalable, sellable, and commercially viable.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, designer, OT, or you just care about where we’re all going to live as we age, this episode is full of practical insight from someone who’s learning by doing – one accessible bungalow at a time.

00:00 – Welcome, Season 2 intro & meet Allan 02:06 – From scaffolding to small developer: Allan’s background 06:25 – Buying the plot at auction & why bungalows 10:48 – First planning application and refusal over garden sizes 14:45 – Surveys, drainage strategies & the hidden cost of planning 18:33 – Should you do pre-apps and options? Lessons in risk 24:00 – Finding the right architect and discovering accessibility isn’t “just wider doors” 27:45 – Hallways, bathrooms & a hybrid approach between M4(2) and M4(3) 33:20 – Designing an accessible kitchen with Symphony and Adam Thomas 37:38 – Bathroom layouts, grab rails, plywood backing & real-life usability 45:10 – MMC vs traditional build, piling costs and below-ground surprises 52:00 – Working with builders: level thresholds, ramps and practical site issues 59:40 – Heating choices, underfloor vs radiators and keeping corridors clear 01:02:20 – Selling the bungalows & creating a bespoke combined home 01:07:35 – Key learnings, what Allan would do differently & marketing future schemes 01:12:20 – How to connect with Allan & closing thoughts

Accessible housing, Accessible bungalows, Single-storey homes, Ageing in place, Universal design, Part M, M4(2), M4(3), Inclusive design, Planning permission, Garden size standards, Developers, Property investors, Accessible kitchens, Wet rooms, Level access, Building costs, Piling, Small-scale development, Future-proof homes

Allan Craigen – Founder, Level One Developments 📞 07815 152693 🔗 Connect with Allan on LinkedIn (search: Allan Craigen)

Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.com 📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.com 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

EP - 10

Summary

In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth Hunter is joined by Jack Calveley, a registered building inspector with a passion for ensuring accessibility isn’t just a box-ticking exercise but a lived reality.

Together, they unpack Approved Document M4 – the section of UK building regulations that covers accessible and adaptable housing. Jack explains the key differences between M4(1) visitable dwellings and M4(2) adaptable dwellings, the most common mistakes developers make, and why working with the right contractors and designers is crucial to getting compliance right.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, architect, or simply interested in how we can create homes that work for everyone, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-world insights.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & introduction 01:05 – Jack’s journey into building control and accessibility 04:00 – Understanding Part M and why it matters 06:58 – The difference between M4(1) and M4(2) 09:32 – Reinforced walls, wider stairs, and future-proofing homes 12:30 – Common mistakes developers make on site 16:00 – Finding the right contractors and architects 20:53 – Why knowledge and collaboration are crucial 23:39 – The design details that make the biggest difference 27:49 – Accessibility in refurbishments and small-scale developments 30:24 – What you can and can’t remove when renovating 33:11 – Preparing for the future of housing standards 37:12 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Jack

Keywords

Accessible housing, Building regulations, Approved Document M, M4(1), M4(2), Adaptable homes, Visitable dwellings, Building control, Universal design, Housing standards, Developers, Property investors, Refurbishments, Future-proof housing

Contact details

Jack Calveley – Registered Building Inspector Find Jack on LinkedIn (search: Jack T Calveley)

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.com 📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.com 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

EP - 10

This special Accessible Homes Week episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK features Ruth in conversation with Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact & External Affairs at Habinteg. Christina has been at the forefront of national campaigns — from For Accessible Homes Week to co-chairing the Home Coalition — making sure accessibility is recognised as an issue that benefits everyone, not just a minority.

Together, Ruth and Christina explore why Approved Document M4(1) isn’t enough, why M4(2) should be the baseline for all new housing, and what’s needed to deliver M4(3) wheelchair user homes at scale. They bust common myths around cost, space, and demand, reveal the real social and economic benefits of accessible housing, and set out a clear 3-step roadmap for government and industry.

👉 As part of Accessible Homes Week, don’t miss the special webinar panel — with lived experience voices, forward-thinking local authorities, and new research findings. 📅 Wednesday 10th September, 11:00am (BST) 🔗 Register here for the Accessible Homes Week Webinar

[00:01] Welcome & intro to Christina + Habinteg [02:26] Accessible Homes Week webinar preview (panel + new research) [04:04] Why M4(1) falls short (steps allowed, tiny WCs, garden access) [10:37] Attitude + design: level from the outset vs “add a ramp” [13:56] The cost myth: typical M4(2)/M4(3) uplifts when planned early [16:38] Real demand: waiting lists, 400k+ in unsuitable homes, data caveats [20:45] Marketing gap: why private M4(3) homes aren’t reaching buyers [22:16] Economic & health benefits: fewer falls, quicker discharge, 4× work likelihood [27:24] Making accessibility beautiful (Invisible Creations & normalising safety) [31:45] Message to local authorities: NPPF, evidence, and setting M4(2) expectations [38:03] Will M4(3) help planning outcomes? On-the-ground examples [42:57] Policy levers now: housing plan baseline, Homes England criteria, New Towns, training [47:59] Many developer obligations; why a single baseline simplifies delivery [50:51] Building control: consistent enforcement & best-practice upskilling [57:32] Christina’s 3-step roadmap (policy → education → co-design) [1:01:50] Designing with lived experience (ramps, landings, natural light) [1:02:31] Wrap-up & invites

Accessible Housing, Habinteg, Approved Document M, M4(1) / M4(2) / M4(3), Wheelchair Accessible Homes, Universal Design, Planning Policy, Building Control, Homes England, NPPF, New Towns, Falls Prevention, Hospital Discharge, Inclusive Design, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Guest — Christina McGill / Habinteg • Website: https://www.habinteg.org.uk/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-mcgill-53150110/ • Email: cmcgill@habinteg.org.uk

Host — Ruth Hunter • Website: www.veredusproperty.co.uk • Email: www.veredusproperty.com 📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.com 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

EP-9

Summary:

In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth Hunter talks with Georgina Berry and Victoria Malcher from OT33 Occupational Therapy. With decades of experience as housing-specialist OTs, they reveal how their work bridges the gap between clinical assessment and practical housing solutions. From bespoke adaptations to future-proofed design, Georgina and Victoria explain why involving an OT early in the build process can save time, money, and stress — and lead to homes that genuinely work for the people who live in them.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction: Meet Georgina and Victoria, and learn about OT33’s housing and moving & handling expertise.

[03:42] What Is Occupational Therapy? Understanding the role of an OT and how it supports quality of life.

[07:44] Specialist Housing Focus: Why not all OTs are the same — and why developers need housing specialists.

[10:09] Finding the Right OT: How to access an OT through local authorities or privately.

[12:41] Bespoke Assessments: How OT33 tailors recommendations to each client’s needs and lifestyle.

[19:24] Designing for Complex Needs: From turning circles to carers’ accommodation — what “fit for purpose” really means.

[24:00] Top Housing Priorities: Insights from clients, families, and support teams — with some surprises.

[29:03] Impactful Projects: Real-life stories of homes that transformed lives.

[33:20] Future-Proofing Homes: Why developers should think beyond minimum building regs — and consider lifts.

[35:35] Final Message: Bring OTs in from the start to create homes that truly work.

Keywords Occupational Therapy, Accessible Design, Inclusive Housing, Developer Insights, Future-Proofing

Contact Details for OT33:

📧 Email: www.ot33.co.uk 📞 Phone: 01604 340 988 💼 LinkedIn: Search “OT33” plus Georgina Berry and Victoria Malcher

Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.com 📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.com 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

EP - 8

Summary:

In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth Hunter talks with Chris Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and smart home advocate. Chris shares his expertise on integrating affordable, privacy-focused smart systems into homes to support vulnerable residents, enhancing accessibility with smart lighting, locks, water safety, and emergency alerts.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction: Meet Chris Lewis and learn about his extensive background in cybersecurity and smart home technology.

[05:15] Future-Proofing Homes: Discover the importance of integrating smart technology to future-proof homes.

[12:30] Cost-Effective Systems: Learn how to implement smart systems without relying on internet connectivity.

[20:45] Privacy Benefits: Explore the privacy advantages of using open-source smart home hubs.

[28:00] Developer Insights: Practical steps for developers to integrate smart technology during the build stage.

Keywords

Smart Home, Accessibility, Tech Innovation, Privacy, Future-Proofing

Contact Details for Chris:

Chris Lewis is available on LinkedIn and can be reached via email at chris@florencemaple.co.uk.

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

EP-7

Summary

In this episode, Ruth Hunter interviews Scott Whitney, founder of All4Inclusion, who shares his personal journey of becoming disabled and the challenges he faces in advocating for accessibility and inclusivity. Scott discusses the importance of community, the struggles of finding accessible housing, and the mental health impacts of his experiences. He emphasises the need for better design in housing and the role of government in ensuring accessibility standards are met. Through his organisation, Scott aims to empower disabled voices and foster connections within the community.

Chapters

• Scott Whitney founded All4Inclusion to support disabled individuals facing loneliness.
• His disability journey began suddenly in 2020, leading to significant life changes.
• Scott emphasizes the importance of community and connection for disabled individuals.
• Accessibility challenges in public transport and housing are prevalent and often overlooked.
• Mental health struggles are common among those with disabilities, especially during transitions.
• The search for accessible housing is fraught with difficulties and frustrations.
• Temporary housing solutions often fail to meet accessibility needs.
• Emergency evacuation plans for disabled individuals are often inadequate.
• Designing accessible properties requires input from the disabled community.
• Government policies need to prioritise accessibility in housing development.

Keyword

Accessibility, neurodiversity, disability, inclusivity, housing, mental health, community, All4Inclusion, Scott Whitney, design

Contact details for Scott Whitney

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottjwhitney

scott@all4inclusion.org

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

EP - 6

Summary

In this episode, Ruth Hunter speaks with Sandra Bentley, an accessibility advocate with a spinal cord injury, about her journey navigating the Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt her home. Sandra shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the importance of autonomy in design, the role of occupational therapists, and the complexities of funding and VAT related to home adaptations. They discuss the need for policy change in accessible housing and the importance of educating developers and policymakers to create universally designed homes that meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of ability.

Takeaways

• Sandra Bentley is a passionate accessibility advocate with lived experience of disability.
• Navigating the DFG can be complex and requires proactive engagement with local authorities.
• Occupational therapists play a crucial role in the home adaptation process.
• Home adaptations should prioritize the individual's needs and preferences, not just standard solutions.
• Understanding VAT implications can significantly impact the budget for home adaptations.
• It's essential to advocate for oneself and seek out available resources and funding.
• Designing accessible spaces can be aesthetically pleasing and functional.
• Policy change is necessary to ensure all new homes are built with accessibility in mind.
• Education for developers and policymakers is key to creating inclusive housing.
• Future-proofing homes is vital for accommodating changing needs over time.

Chapters

If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!