SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 65
197.
Planning policy must therefore understand the housing needs of particular groups and this is
an important part of the Council’s duties under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public
Sector Equality Duty.
198.
The proportion of older people in the population is forecast to increase. The number of
people aged 75 and over is projected to increase by 7,147 between 2020 and 2036 to
comprise 12% of the population.
199.
It is also projected that there will be a 35% increase in the number of people aged 65 and
over with dementia and a 31% increase in those aged 65+ with mobility problems.
200.
A number of Neighbourhood Plans identify the requirements to provide a range of housing
for older people, and Local Plan policy P4E supports this. Consultation responses to the
2016 Draft Local Plan also supported provision for older people and those with disabilities.
201.
It is important that all older people have good and affordable housing choices. Not all older
people need specialist accommodation; many will prefer to remain in their own homes. There
is therefore a clear need to increase the supply of accessible and adaptable dwellings and
wheelchair user dwellings as well as providing specialist housing.
202.
An important part of meeting need for older people will be through general purpose new
homes built to accessible standards and which are suitable and attractive for ‘downsizing’.
This will include ‘age-restricted general market housing’ designed for people aged 55 and
over and the active elderly which may include some shared amenities such as communal
gardens but does not include support or care services.
203.
Policy P4E supports the Council’s adult social care approach. Suitable general needs
housing and specialist schemes both contribute to older and disabled people having good
housing options. This brings long term benefits for both adult social care and the National
Health Service. The policy also supports one of the priorities of the Birmingham and Solihull
Sustainability and Transformation Partnership to improve the health and wellbeing of the
population by working with local partners, particularly focussing on employment, education,
housing and work.
204.
Government has consolidated a wide range of new housing standards. This is based on
minimum Building Regulations requirements with the ability for local planning authorities to
apply the optional national standards over and above these. One of the optional standards
covers accessibility.
205.
Optional standards can only apply where a policy is included in a Local Plan. Policy P4E
therefore applies the optional accessibility standards in Solihull.
206.
Conditions will be applied to relevant planning permissions to ensure compliance with Policy
P4E. Where references to the Building Regulations in the policy change, the requirement
shall be taken to refer to the most up-to-date standard.
207.
The two optional Building Regulation standards for accessibility and adaptability are M4(2)
and M4(3). M4(2) promotes the ability of people to remain in their homes as their
circumstances change as it covers design measures that can allow homes to be adapted.
M4(3) relates specifically to wheelchair user housing and distinguishes between ‘wheelchair
adaptable’ (M4(3 2a)) and ‘wheelchair accessible’ dwellings (M4(3 2b)). Policy P4E requires
‘wheelchair adaptable’ as ‘wheelchair accessible’ only applies where the Council is
responsible for allocating or nominating an individual.
208.
The HEDNA demonstrated a need for homes which are suitable for older people and those
with disabilities (physical, sensory and learning). This is also evidenced by local Borough
wide data and Council assessments and plans.
65
65