Consider adding a sheltered accommodation field to residential units

[colmjude]

GLA has asked whether sheltered accommodation should be captured as an additional field in the residential units model.

What GLA is asking for

The ask appears to be for sheltered accommodation to be captured separately from the basic unit type.

This reflects the GLA approach where the underlying dwelling type can still be recorded, for example flat or house, while also identifying whether the unit is sheltered accommodation.

What we still need from GLA

• the exact use case for a separate sheltered accommodation field
• how often this distinction is operationally important
• whether the value is needed nationally or mainly within the London model
• examples showing the information lost if sheltered accommodation is only represented indirectly or elsewhere

[colmjude]

Current policy position is that this should not be added to the submission standard unless there is a clearer case that it is needed to determine the planning permission decision.

At the moment, the evidence provided does not yet show that this meets that threshold.

Next step

Keep this as a suggestion and ask GLA to provide clearer rationale and worked examples. Any future decision should also consider the wider modelling question about how sheltered housing is represented in relation to dwelling type.