PROPERTY DEVELOPMEMT
HEACHAM, NORFOLK
PROJECTS - CARE SECTOR
As a Chartered Planning Consultancy we have worked on various care sctor project and this field of planning and the challenges facing the secor. Firstly with an ageing population there is a rising demand for care homes, extra-care housing, and supported living. This is imprtnat as planning is linked to health & wellbeing as well as public health, social inclusion, and reducing pressure on the NHS.
Housing policy in terms of the provision of care housing is part of wider housing needs assessments in Local Plans.
There are four types of Care Developments in Planning and these are Care Homes (residential/nursing homes), institutional settings with personal or medical care, assisted Living (self-contained flats with shared facilities and on-site support), Retirement Villages and Specialist Accommodation, and supported housing for people with disabilities, mental health needs, or young people leaving care.
In terms of Planning Use Classes (England example) there is C2 (Residential institutions (care homes, hospitals, boarding schools, residential colleges, training centres), C3(b) (Small supported housing (up to 6 residents with a carer), C3(c)(Groups of people living together as a household (e.g. supported lodgings), and Sui generis use for very large or unique schemes (e.g. major retirement villages, some specialist housing).
Key Planning Considerations for Care Sector Development are access to GP surgeries, pharmacies, shops, public transport, accessibility (wheelchair use, dementia-friendly layouts, private vs. communal space), impact on neighbourhood character (a large care home in a residential street can raise objections), parking for staff/visitors, delivery access, waste management, energy-efficient buildings, green space for wellbeing, avoiding isolation of older or disabled people.
The National Policy Context is contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which requires councils to plan for housing needs of older and disabled people. Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) sets out how local authorities should assess care housing needs. Within Local Plans many councils now include policies or targets for extra-care housing and care beds.
Challenges for the care sector include the shortage of sites with mainstream housing, viability of care developments whihc are often more expensive to build and run, public resistance – “Not in My Backyard” objections about traffic, noise, or house price impact, unclear definitions in planning with grey areas between C2 (care) and C3 (housing) use classes can complicate applications, and changing models of care with a shift towards independent living with support rather than traditional care homes.
Should you wish to discuss any care sector development please do no hesitate to conatct us.
