Policy information sourced from Wandsworth Development Planning Management Policies Document

DMH 9 Hostels, staff and shared accommodation (including student housing), specialist and supported housing

Development which would lead to a loss of hostel, staff accommodation and shared accommodation (including student housing and Sui Generis HMOs) will not be permitted unless existing floorspace is provided for within the proposal, to an equivalent or greater standard, or it can be demonstrated that the facility no longer caters for current or future needs.

The development of new hostels, staff accommodation, shared accommodation (including student housing), residential care homes and other types of supported housing will be permitted provided that:

  • it would not lead to an over-concentration of similar uses detrimental to residential character or amenity;
  • it caters for need identified in the Wandsworth Strategic Housing Market Assessment, in the accommodation strategy of a recognised educational institution, in a needs assessment of a recognised public body, or within an appropriate needs assessment and were deemed to be responding to the needs identified by the Adult Social Services Department of the Council or other recognised public body such as the Mental Health Trust;
  • the quality of accommodation meets at least the minimum relevant standards for that use;
  • the accommodation is fully integrated into the residential surroundings;
  • in the case of off-site student housing it is located in an area well served by public transport with respect to the institution it serves;
  • in the case of sheltered housing, it is located near to shops and community facilities and is easily accessible by public transport.

Proposals for residential care establishments which fall under use class C2 must demonstrate that they would provide levels of care as defined in Article 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 or any subsequent amendments.

Proposals for off-site student housing, where there is no ownership or management arrangement in place with a recognised educational establishment, will be considered under policies DMH6 and DMH7 (residential standards) and Core Strategy Policy IS5 in respect of affordable housing provision.

For more information please see the Development Planning Management Policies Document