Housing 

Type of Housing Required

The Council has a requirement under policy SP.13 of the WFDC Local Plan, that all major housing development proposals (developments of over 10 dwellings) provide evidence to show they have fully considered the provision of the following tenure and type of units within the overall housing mix of the site:

• Bungalows
• Sheltered Housing
• Extra Care Units
• Other types of supported housing

This evidence could include the following:

• Pre app discussions with the development management at WFDC
• Reference to relevant housing needs data, neighbourhood plans and other strategies/policies (such as Worcestershire County Council social care policies) in planning statements.

If a developer is not providing the required dwellings, then the applicant will be expected to provide evidence as to why they cannot provide the required dwellings, such as details of site constraints or viability issues.

Where specialist housing is being provided the applicant should demonstrate:

• how it meets the M4(2) and M4(3) requirement
• How the internal layout and amenity spaces will help meet the requirement of people with a special housing requirement.
• If dormer bungalows are being provided, the dwelling is expected to have a ground floor bedroom.

Accommodation for Family Members and Carers

SP.13 allows for the provision of annex accommodation on a dwelling in order to provide accommodation for family members and carers.

The policy states the annex should be physically linked. This means that it can be either an extension to the original dwelling or where this is not possible, it can be developed within the curtilage of the dwelling. However, it is expected that the dwelling:

• Only incorporates a maximum of two bedrooms
• Shares vehicular and pedestrian access
• Must be within 5 metres of the main dwelling

A condition will also be placed on the annexe which will state that the annexe cannot be divided from the original dwelling and sold or let separately.