Planning
current and forecast needs across the new plan’s period (typically 15 years), drilling down into the type of care needed (both general and specialist).
Local plans should then allocate sufficient numbers of sites, in the right locations, based on their specific assessment of need. Presently where local plans do include allocations for a care home or specialist housing, it is usually within a much larger strategic site allocation. Local plans should also allocate sites specifically for later living / care which meet the locational needs of the occupants, not solely as an add-on to an existing new development.
Furthermore, local plans should continue to include at least one policy supporting the delivery of new older persons’ homes – across all typologies. It is important the planning system remains plan led. But it must not become plan- absolute led. Local plans cover periods of a minimum 15-years. Changing economic, social and demographic circumstances rarely have regard for the duration of plan- making, plan lifespan and review cycles. It is important that planning policy, both national and local, provides for speculative application secured developments – when the needs are demonstrated.
The unfortunate consequence of the proposals could be that delivery of older people’s accommodation will be hindered
The prioritisation of sustainable and brownfield sites
One of the major changes in the revised NPPF is removal of the requirement to review Green Belt if this is the only means by which to meet minimum housing needs. Instead, the revised version – compounded by recent policy announcements – reiterates the importance of ‘brownfield first’. There are many local planning authorities with very little available brownfield land and substantial areas of Green Belt. In these circumstances the policy changes will have a considerable and negative impact on the delivery of later living homes and care facilities. There is also a new emphasis on ‘gentle density’, to be achieved through building upwards. But while loft conversions and the addition of mansard window may work for many homeowners, the policy of higher densities will place a further barrier to promoters and developers of older people’s homes. Competition for limited land opportunities on greenfield will invariably increase.
Further, the absence of relevant policies in the Local Plan, or specific allocations in local plans often results in development only being possible through ‘windfall’ (i.e. left-over) sites which, again, tend to be in unsuitable urban locations. Clearly not all older people’s accommodation is suited to delivery within existing urban areas. To meet amounts required, planning must be revised. For example, integrated retirement communities typically include high levels of open spaces and on-site amenity
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com January 2024
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