Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Housing for people with specific needs
7.78 Sandwell Council will work with partners to meet the identified needs of all sections of the community, including older people, people with disabilities and those with other special needs.
(1) Policy SHO11 - Housing for people with specific needs
- Proposals for specific forms of housing including children's homes, care homes, nursing homes, extra care facilities, or any other identified need, will be considered in relation to the following criteria:
- compatibility with adjacent uses;
- the suitability of the site and building;
- the potential for undue noise and general disturbance to surrounding residents;
- the character and quality of the resulting environment;
- the impact on parking provision and highway safety;
- accessibility by a choice of means of transport; and
- proximity to facilities.
- Supporting information will be required in the form of a planning statement which, as a minimum, must set out the day-to-day activities associated with the use, staffing numbers and visitor numbers. Additional information such as a transport statement or noise statement may be required depending on circumstances.
Justification
7.79 To plan effectively for people with specific needs, the Council will develop a series of strategies to help meet these needs[138], which will be implemented over the Plan period.
7.80 However, it is also considered that accommodation for people with specific needs is best located in areas that are close to local facilities and amenities and accessible by public transport, whilst not having a negative impact on the surrounding area. Therefore, when identifying sites for these facilities, the Council will use the above criteria as well as the accessibility criteria set out in Policy SHO3.
[138] Sandwell Housing Strategy 2023-2028 https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/downloads/file/33803/housing_needs_assessment_2022
