Policy information sourced from the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2024-2037 document.

LP 37: Protection of Existing Housing Stock and Land.

1. Development which would lead to the net loss of residential accommodation within Class C3 dwelling houses or residential care homes and nursing homes within Class C2 (including specialist accommodation for older people), or the change of use of land currently or last used for residential purposes, (including empty homes) will be permitted where:

  • the continuation of residential use is undesirable because of environmental conditions; or
  • the development forms part of a wider comprehensive scheme which would result in an overall net increase in residential units; or
  • the proposal delivers overriding public benefits which outweigh the loss of the residential use; or
  • a change from residential use is the only viable way of ensuring the protection of a heritage asset; or
  • it has been demonstrated that residential use has been abandoned.

2. Where a proposal would result in the net loss of specialist accommodation, the following matters will also be taken into consideration:

  • reprovision of specialist accommodation in accordance with the requirements of Policy LP 39 ‘Specialist housing’, or
  • demonstration that there is no longer a need for the existing use.

For more information, including links to the referenced policies, please visit the Bracknell Forest Local Plan document here.