Policy information sourced from Enfield Development Managament Document (DMD)

DMD 15 Specialist Housing Needs

  • In addition to the relevant criteria in DMD 4 ‘Loss of Existing Residential Units’, development which would lead to a loss of specialist forms of housing will only be permitted if:
    • It is no longer required to address that specialist housing need, both including its use and tenure, or
    • The floorspace is satisfactorily re-provided to an equivalent or better standard.
  • Development proposals for specialist forms of housing would only be permitted if all of the following criteria are met:
    • The development would meet an identified borough need for that form of specialist housing having regard to evidence of need in the Council’s Market Statement, Health and Adult Social Care Commissioning Strategies, or the needs assessment of a recognised public health care body;
    • The property is suitable for such a use and would not result in an over intensive use of the site
    • That residential amenity is preserved in accordance with the relevant criteria in policy DMD 8 ‘General Standards for New Residential Development’;
    • It would not result in an excessive number or concentration of similar uses in a locality which would be detrimental to residential character or amenity;
    • The development is adaptable, well designed, of a high quality, accessible (internally and externally), meets the needs of the specific client groups it serves and their carers but is flexible in case these change. Developments must have regard ‘General Standards for new development’, other design considerations and local guidance. The Council will work with partners to ensure the facilities provide an adequate form of accommodation; and
    • The development is well located so that it is easily accessible to existing local community facilities, infrastructure and services, such as public transport, health services, retail centres, recreation and leisure opportunities.

This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policy 6.

For more information please see the Development Managament Document (DMD)