Policy information sourced from Lewisham Development Management Local Plan
DM Policy 5 Specialist accommodation for older people
The Council will support proposals for specialist accommodation for older people including sheltered housing, care homes and other appropriate models of accommodation for the elderly and those with particular needs (referred to hereafter as extra care accommodation) provided that the development:
- is well designed to meet the particular requirements of residents with social, physical, mental and/or health care needs
- will be easily accessible to public transport, shops, local services, community facilities and social networks for residents, carers and their visitors.
Where accommodation is provided on a freehold or leasehold basis, the Council will expect the development to supply an appropriate percentage of affordable housing in accordance with Core Strategy Policy 1. In the case of sheltered accommodation and extra care accommodation the Council will encourage a mix of tenures.
The Council will resist development that involves the net loss of floorspace in specialist accommodation unless:
- adequate replacement specialist accommodation will be provided
- it can be demonstrated that there is a surplus of that particular type of specialist accommodation in the area, and
- it can be demonstrated that the existing specialist accommodation is incapable of meeting relevant industry standards for suitable accommodation.
Where the Council is satisfied that a development involving the loss of specialist accommodation is appropriate, it will expect re-provision of an equivalent amount of floorspace, or of permanent housing in C3 Use Class, including an appropriate amount of affordable housing, having regard to Core Strategy Policy 1.
For more information please see the Local Plan