Comment

Representation ID: 21910

Received: 12/03/2020

Respondent: Home Builders Federation

We welcome the support in this policy to supporting specialist accommodation for older people. However, given that paragraph 63-006 states that the Council should: “… set clear policies to address the housing needs of groups with particular needs such as older people…” with paragraph 63-016 going on to state that where there is an identified unmet need for specialist houses that “local authorities should take a positive approach to schemes that address this need” we consider it to be essential that the Council establishes within policy the amount of such specialist accommodation the Council will seek to provide. Without the clarity of a stated requirement for such homes it will not be clear to decision makers of the need for such schemes and whether there is an under provision this of specialist accommodation for older people. We would also suggest that the Council’s work with specialist providers to identify suitable sites that will meet the specific needs of older people. We recognise that PPG does not require allocations to be made it is necessary for older peoples housing to be in sustainable locations close to services and as such it is important to work closely with this sector of the housebuilding industry to understand the needs of their customers and where possible allocate appropriate sites.