Policy information sourced from Redbridge Local Plan

LP4: Specialist Accommodation

The Council will support older, vulnerable and homeless residents in the borough by aiming to provide a sufcient supply of Specialist Accommodation, including temporary accommodation, to support independent living. The Council will support various forms of Specialist Accommodation where it:

  • Is needed to meet a demonstrable need within the borough and will be targeted at borough residents;
  • Contributes to creating a mixed, balanced and inclusive neighbourhood;
  • Is well-integrated with the wider neighbourhood, does not unduly harm amenity of neighbouring occupiers;
  • Is suitable for the intended occupiers in terms of the standard of facilities; design of buildings; density, parking; internal space and amenity space;
  • Provides the necessary level of supervision, management and care/ support; and
  • Ofers easy access to community facilities, is accessible to public transport, workplaces, shops and services appropriate to the needs of the intended occupiers.

The Council will resist the loss of Specialist Accommodation unless:

  • Adequate replacement accommodation can be provided;
  • It can be demonstrated that there is a surplus of Specialist Accommodation in the area; or
  • It can be demonstrated that the existing care home is incapable of meeting relevant industry standards for suitable accommodation in a cost efective manner.

Student Accommodation

Where student accommodation is required to meet strategic and local need, it will be supported where it is appropriately located within:

  • One of the borough’s Investment and Growth Areas;
  • Within or at the edge of a town centre; and
  • In an area of good public transport accessibility.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the above, proposals for student accommodation will also need to demonstrate that:

  • There would be no loss of existing housing;
  • There would be no adverse impact on local amenity, in particular, the amenity of neighbouring properties and onstreet parking provision;
  • The accommodation is of a high standard, including adequate unit size and compliance with daylight and sunlight standards;
  • Provision is made for units that meet the needs of students with disabilities;
  • The need for the additional afordable bedspaces can be demonstrated; and
  • The accommodation can be secured by agreement for occupation by members of a specifed educational institution(s).

Implementation

Delivery of Redbridge Housing Strategy 2017-2022 which includes working with care home providers, housing charities to deliver specialist housing in the borough; and monitoring against the London Plan (2016) indicative benchmarks to inform local targets for specialist housing for older persons (Table A5.1) and keeping this under review.

For more information please see the Local Plan