Policy information sourced from the Westminster City Plan

10. Housing for specific groups

  • Residential developments will provide a mix of units in terms of size, type, and tenure to secure mixed and inclusive communities, and contribute towards meeting Westminster’s housing needs for different groups.

FAMILY SIZED HOMES

  • New build homes will be designed with growing families in mind and 25% of all new homes across Westminster will be family sized. Where two-bedroom units are provided, the majority should be large enough to accommodate two double bedrooms within a single development. Studios will make up no more than 10% of new homes within a single development.
  • Conversion of purpose-built single-family homes into multiple family homes is welcomed. Family sized homes will be required where a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) surplus to requirements (as demonstrated by appropriate marketing as an HMO for at least 18 months) is proposed to change to market housing.

SPECIALIST HOUSING

  • The council supports the provision of well-managed new housing which meets an identified specialist housing need. All existing specialist and supported housing floorspace will be protected from changing to nonspecialist or supported residential use except where it is demonstrated that:
    • the accommodation is of poor quality, does not meet contemporary requirements and is not capable of being upgraded; or
    • the use has a demonstrable and significant adverse effect on residential amenity; or
    • it is surplus to requirements as any form of specialist or supported housing; or
    • the accommodation is being adapted or altered to better meet specialist need or to enable residents to remain in their existing property.

OLDER PEOPLE’S HOUSING

  • The council supports the development of high-quality accommodation for older people across a range of tenures and use classes that meets identified need.
  • The council will support adaptations and alterations to homes occupied by older residents, which enable them to remain in their existing property. Replacement older people’s accommodation intended to be occupied by the original occupant(s), will as far as practicably possible, be located near to the original accommodation.

PURPOSE-BUILT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

  • The council supports the development of new, well-managed, purpose-built accommodation for students studying at higher education institutions.
  • A proportion of the purpose-built student accommodation will be secured as affordable student accommodation in accordance with the London Plan. All accommodation should include a proportion of units that are adaptable to meet specialist needs.
  • Existing purpose-built student accommodation will be protected unless demonstrably surplus to requirements.

GYPSY AND TRAVELLER SITES

  • Gypsy and traveller sites may be permitted where it is demonstrated that there is a need in Westminster, that they are appropriately designed and will not have unacceptable impacts, particularly on traffic or parking.

For more information please see the City Plan