Policy H/SH: Specialist housing

1. Proposals for residential development should consider and respond to the need for specialist housing. 

2. Planning permission will be granted for the development of specialist housing, subject to the development being: 

  a. supported by evidence of the demonstrable need for this form of development within

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

; 

  b. suitable for the intended occupiers in relation to the quality and type of facilities, and the provision of support and/or care; 

  c. accessible to local shops and services, public transport and other sustainable modes of transport, and community facilities appropriate to the needs of the intended occupiers; and 

  d. in a location that does not create an over-concentration of such housing in the local area. 

3. Proposals for specialist housing within settlements (shown as Defined

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

Extents on the Policies Map) will be subject to other policies in the development plan, including policy S/SH: Settlement hierarchy. Proposals for specialist housing outside of settlements will only be acceptable where they meet the requirements in Policy S/DE: Defined

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

Extents. 

4. Unallocated strategic sites of 1,000 dwellings or more will be expected to provide at least 10% of homes as specialist housing. Proposals must meet the following criteria: 

  a. the majority of specialist housing is expected to be focused on the needs of older people and disabled people but other forms of specialist housing will be encouraged where supported by appropriate evidence of need;

  b. specialist housing should be designed to support its integration into the wider community, and be within walking distance to a local centre, appropriate facilities such as health services, and public transport; and 

  c. the phasing of specialist housing should be planned alongside the provision of services relevant to the type of specialist housing proposed such as health and education facilities, shops and bus services. 

5. If development, including change of use, would involve a net loss of specialist residential floorspace, this will only be permitted where: 

  a. appropriate replacement specialist housing accommodation will be provided that satisfies the four criteria 2a–2d; 

  b. it is demonstrated that there is reduced local need for the existing provision of specialist housing; or 

  c. the new proposals provide specialist housing of a significantly higher quality. 

Specialist housing is designed so that support can be provided to its occupants where required (and often to others in the wider community) while promoting independent living. National planning policy requires the size, type and tenure of homes needed for different groups in the community to be assessed and that the results of that assessment be reflected in planning policies. 

Providing specialist accommodation for older people and disabled people can help people to live independently whilst staying within their local community. It can also provide opportunities for people to downsize if they choose to do so and help to support mixed and balanced communities. The need to help older people and disabled people downsize or stay within their community through ‘whole life housing’ approaches is also addressed in Policy H/HM: Housing mix and Policy H/SS: Residential space standards and accessible homes. 

The

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

therefore needs to set out how the Councils will deliver sufficient specialist housing to meet the identified need and how proposals for new specialist housing will be considered. Proposals will be expected to have regard to the evidence base supporting the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

which considers the needs of a wide range of groups. However, proposals can also provide their own evidence to support their specific plans for specialist housing. This could include more up to date data or more detailed evidence on a specific form of specialist housing. 

To ensure that specialist housing is well integrated with wider communities when developing strategic sites the specialist housing needs should be considered at an early stage. Where strategic sites involve a masterplanning or similar process this should address how and where specialist housing will be provided. 

There is a need for market and affordable housing for older people. Therefore, specialist housing for older people will be expected to contribute towards the delivery of affordable housing. Where self-contained specialist housing for older people forms part of a larger multi-tenure development it will count towards the overall numbers against which affordable housing requirements are calculated (as set out in policy H/AH:

Housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers); and which complies with one or more of the following definitions:

a. Social Rent: meets all of the following conditions: (a) the rent is set in accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Social Rent; (b) the landlord is a registered provider; and (c) it includes provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision.

b. Other affordable housing for rent: meets all of the following conditions: (a) the rent is set in accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Affordable Rent, or is at least 20% below local market rents (including service charges where applicable); (b) the landlord is a registered provider, except where it is included as part of a Build to Rent scheme (in which case the landlord need not be a registered provider); and (c) it includes provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. For Build to Rent schemes affordable housing for rent is expected to be the normal form of affordable housing provision (and, in this context, is known as Affordable Private Rent).

c. Discounted market sales housing: is that sold at a discount of at least 20% below local market value. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. Provisions should be in place to ensure housing remains at a discount for future eligible households.

d. Other affordable routes to home ownership: is housing provided for sale that provides a route to ownership for those who could not achieve home ownership through the market. It includes shared ownership, relevant equity loans, other low cost homes for sale (at a price equivalent to at least 20% below local market value) and rent to buy (which includes a period of intermediate rent). Where public grant funding is provided, there should be provisions for the homes to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for any receipts to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision, or refunded to Government or the relevant authority specified in the funding agreement

). 

It is recognised that it will often be inappropriate for market and affordable homes for older people to be delivered in an integrated manner. Therefore, when a market scheme for specialist housing triggers a requirement for affordable provision a financial contribution will be sought in lieu of on site provision. Most other forms of specialist supported accommodation are likely to be considered as affordable housing. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  : Homes Topic Paper (2025)

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  :

  This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

  Strategy Topic Paper (2025)

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Housing Strategy 2024-2029: Homes for Our Future and Annexes 1-8
• Housing Needs of Specific Groups in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire (2025)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.