Policy information sourced from the Havering Local Plan

6 Specialist accommodation

The provision of appropriate housing to meet the specialist needs of local people will be supported where it can be robustly demonstrated that:

  • There is an identified need within the borough;
  • The site has access to essential services and shops by walking and cycling;
  • The site is well served by public transport;
  • The proposal contributes to a mixed, balanced and inclusive community;
  • The site is suitable for the intended occupiers in terms of the standard of facilities, the level of independence, and the provision of support and/or care;
  • An appropriate level of amenity space is provided to meet the needs of the intended occupants taking account of the need for an attractive outlook;
  • Consideration has been given to future needs and the development can be easily adapted to meet the needs of future occupants;
  • The proposal does not have any unacceptable adverse impacts on the surrounding area and will not be likely to give rise to significantly unacceptable greater levels of noise and disturbance to occupiers of nearby residential properties;
  • The proposal meets the parking requirements set out in Policy 24 and it will not have an unacceptable impact on parking conditions and traffic congestion in the area; and
  • Adequate provision for visitor and carer parking facilities is provided and where appropriate, provision is made for the safe and convenient storage of wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The Council will encourage common areas to be provided to allow occupants a space where they can socialise and interact with others and the design takes into account the facilities and needs of the occupants.

The loss of existing specialist accommodation which meets the identified specific needs will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that:

  • The accommodation is no longer needed and the new accommodation will instead meet another identified prioritised local need; or
  • The existing accommodation will be adequately re-provided to an equivalent or better standard on-site or elsewhere within the borough.

For more information please see the Havering Local Plan