Policy information sourced from the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033

H1 Housing Mix and Accommodation Types

  • Development will be permitted where the mix of new homes:
    1. includes a range of types, tenures and sizes to address local need including for ‘downsizing’, housing for older people, and specialist housing as appropriate;
    2. is appropriate to the size, location and characteristics of the site and its surroundings;
    3. takes into account the existing housing stock in the settlement, rural community or neighbourhood in order to avoid any over-concentration of a single type or size of home, or specialist accommodation, where this would undermine the achievement of creating mixed and balanced communities;
    4. allows for community-led approaches such as co-housing and co-operatives where appropriate; and
    5. provides for all new homes to be built in accordance with Building Regulations Requirement M4 (2) Accessible and Adaptable Dwelling standards.
  • Planning applications will be required to be supported by evidence, proportionate to the nature and scale of development proposed, to justify the mix of new homes to be provided. Such evidence must reflect the latest housing needs evidence published by the Council.
  • Proposals for new homes comprising:
    • specialist accommodation;
    • self-build/custom housebuilding;
    • community-led schemes;
    • sites upon which caravans can be stationed; or
    • locations for mooring houseboats.
  • will be supported where:
    1. the location is appropriate in terms of access to facilities, services and public transport; and
    2. it can be demonstrated, where relevant, that the development is designed and managed to provide the most appropriate types and levels of support to the proposed occupier and adequately caters for the needs of support staff.
  • Where there is evidence of an identified unmet need in the local area and the location is appropriate in terms of access to existing or proposed facilities, services and public transport, larger scale new residential developments should incorporate specially designed housing/specialist accommodation for people with support needs (including for older people and housing with care).
  • The loss of bungalows and specialist accommodation will be resisted.
  • The Council will support the development of self-build and custom build homes on appropriately sized, serviced sites in the first instance or on appropriately sized sites that are capable of being serviced. The provision of such homes will be encouraged as part of larger development schemes.

For more information please see the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033