A trade association’s objections to the council’s plans for accessible housing has been widely criticised.

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) launched “worrying” objections against around 15 council’s, including Reading Borough Council (RBC), who are seeking to ensure more accessible homes are built.

The council’s draft local plan states all new builds should be accessible to most people, including some wheelchair users, as a minimum.

HBF said local authorities have a responsibility to ensure their housing plans are viable and should not impose a 'blanket' approach.

Merry Cross, chair of Berkshire Disabled People Against Cuts, said: “For once I agree with RBC, "Many elderly people have to leave their homes because it is not accessible.

“If houses and flats were designed to be accessible in the first place, then serious illnesses, accidents and ageing wouldn't pose such a housing problem.

“The fact that the government has been drawing back on its commitment to requiring new builds to be accessible tells you that the government is showing in many ways that it has no commitment to the welfare of disabled people.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “The objections from HBF are worrying and demonstrate the concerning attitudes that we raised in our recent housing inquiry.”

The council’s draft local plan states that all new build housing will be accessible and adaptable in line with M4(2) of the building regulations where it is viable, unless it is built in line with M4(3).

TM4(2) means most people can access the dwelling, including some wheelchair users, while M4(3) means all wheelchair users can live in the dwelling.

Steve Turner, head of communications at HBF, said: “RBC did not provide the evidence, as national guidance sets out that they are required to do, for all homes to be built to M4(2) standard.

“We believe that providing a percentage of accessible homes that reflects local need is a better approach than a blanket requirement for all homes to be so designed.

“Not all home buyers want to buy a home that has been adapted for accessible use."

He added that the government could have changed building regulations to require that homes are built to such standards but decided not to in 2015.

The development of the local plan, which contains planning policies to guide development up to 2036, is currently being examined by planning inspectorate Louise Gibbons.

Councillor Rachel Eden, Reading West parliamentary candidate, said: “What local authorities are trying to say is that there should be a proportion of homes that are liveable for people with disabilities.

"These needs could affect anybody as people age. Everyone needs to feel safe in their home.

"Building it into the planning permission is a much more effective way. It is massively expensive to do it afterwards."