The BBC report that from 2021 new buildings including shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues in England will have to include at least one Changing Places toilet.
Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets with a wider range of facilities than standard accessible toilets, and include hoists, changing benches and space for carers.The government’s announcement will be a major change for building rules in England which now require Changing Places, which are at about 12 sq m, to be designed for new public buildings.
Whilst the announcement only applies to new buildings, a £30 million fund to install Changing Places toilets in existing premises was also announced in the March budget. Additionally a £1.27m fund to install 37 more Changing Places at service stations across England was announced by Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Department of Transport, meaning 87 of England’s 118 service stations will have the facilities in the next few years.
