ACCESS STATEMENT

This document concerns the suitability of VALLEY VIEW (CE62) for those with disabilities. All cottages are self-catering, single storey units, and are managed by the owners who live close by and can normally attend within 10-minutes. 

VALLEY VIEW has parking alongside the bungalow and the access is fairly level across a patio. Parking for one car is provided for each bungalow. Any further cars may need to be parked in the communal site car park by the office (depending on occupancy of other bungalows).

The bungalow is level within, with entry via a sliding UPVC door with total cill height of 20cm (8”). 

Internal door widths are 75cm, and the floor is wood laminate throughout, which allows standard hospital walking frames and most wheelchairs (64cm wide) to be used. Access to the bathroom may be difficult as the lobby area outside is small. A wheelchair turning circle of 1.5m is only possible in the living room, all other rooms need to be backed out. 

Pedestal hand basin in bathroom, and restricted side access to the toilet may cause some problems to a wheelchair user. 

VALLEY VIEW has a round bottomed bath with shower, which will only take the narrowest of guests own shower stool. A grab handle is provided to gain access to the bath/shower and a wall mounted handle to assist guests to rise. A grab handle is also fitted to the front entrance door for wheelchair users. Access to beds in bedrooms is tight, which can be improved for one occupant by re-arrangement of the twin single bedroom, if prior notice is given. 

There are audible smoke (optical) alarms in all rooms, plus a further heat alarm in the kitchen. As there are no visual alarms this property may not be suitable for a lone completely deaf occupant. Four linked alarms in close proximity however should be enough to warn the hard of hearing.

A reception and office for the site, which has level access, is approximately 1000m from VALLEY VIEW, in the BRAMBLES CHINE section with parking outside. During normal working hours staff are happy to assist with emergency needs, although they do not have any special training in dealing with specific requirements.

The site is approximately 4km from Yarmouth vehicle/passenger ferry, where taxies are available, and is approximately 1.6km (1-mile) from the nearest bus stop. Vehicular access to the site is via a single track tarmac road, which has speed humps and areas where cars can pass. A 10 mph speed limit is marked, which is also the speed limit on-site.

The launderette is on the same small complex as the office and can be accessed over tarmac with the exception of the last 15 metres which is over a loose shingle car park. It’s entrance can be accessed with a ramp which can be supplied on request.

Pets are not accepted with the exception of guide dogs. Owners pets however are allowed on-site, and may be encountered. Site rules specify that dogs must be kept on a lead at all times other than where permitted to be off-lead in the gorse field, which is separate from the playing field.

Main access to the beach is via steps at the farthest corner of the Brambles Chine section (currently out of action due to winter storm damage). They are fairly steep and a handrail is provided. Colwell Bay is 5-minutes drive away with disabled PAYG parking. Although it also does have a fairly steep slopping slipway there are hand rails making it safe for wheel chairs and push chairs. Pedestrian access to the beach can also be made via rough steps down a fairly steep bank on the Cliff edge at the far corner of the playing field. There are no guard rails and it is not part of, or belong to the site, and management does not recommend its use. Access to this part of the beach is not suitable for those of limited mobility.