Policy information sourced from the Reigate & Banstead Local Plan - Development Management Plan

DES7: Specialist accommodation

Caravans

  • Applications for new residential caravan sites (that are not covered by Core Strategy Policy CS16 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople or DMP Policy GTT1 Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople accommodation) must meet the following criteria:
    • The site can be integrated into the local area and co-exist with the local community.
    • The site has safe access to the highway and has adequate parking and turning areas.
    • The site provides a satisfactory residential environment for its intended occupiers and on-site utility services for the number of pitches proposed.
    • The site is not located in an area of high flood risk, including functional floodplains.
    • There is adequate local infrastructure and access to appropriate healthcare and local schools.
    • The site does not significantly impact on the visual amenity and character of the area or the amenity of neighbouring land uses

Older people and support needs

  • To provide enough suitable accommodation for older people and for people with other support needs:
    • The Council will support proposals that are easily accessible to shops, public transport, community facilities and services appropriate to the needs of the intended occupiers.
    • The loss of existing care homes, housing for older people and housing for people with support needs will be resisted unless adequate alternative provision is provided locally, or evidence is provided that there is no longer a need for the facilities or it is not viable for continued care home use.
    • Developments should be of a high quality, including adequate amenity space and where appropriate should take into consideration opportunities for sitting, socializing, gardening and active leisure pursuits.
    • To meet the need for affordable accommodation within the borough:
      • Where accommodation falls into C3 use class, the Council will negotiate to secure the provision of affordable housing in accordance with Policy DES6.
      • Where accommodation falls into C2 use class, the Council will encourage applicants to incorporate provision of, or contribution towards, affordable rooms or care packages that meet strategic requirements for elderly care.

Accessible and adaptable housing

  • All new housing developments will be expected to provide accessible housing in line with the requirements below unless it can be clearly demonstrated that it is not financially viable or that the physical characteristics of the site would make the development unsuitable for older and/or less mobile people:
    • On sites of 5 or more homes, at least 20% of homes should meet the Building Regulations requirements for ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’.
    • On sites of 25 or more homes, at least 4% of homes should be designed to be adaptable for wheelchair users in accordance with the Building Regulations requirements for ‘wheelchair user dwellings’.

For more information please see the Reigate & Banstead Development Management Plan