Purpose

Proposed new build
development on Land to the rear of 89-123 Englishcombe Lane, Bath -
a social rented supported housing scheme consisting of 16.no homes
composed of 1, 2 and 3 bed accommodation. The proposal forms part
of the B&NES Homes Programme. The land is owned by B&NES
and is allocated in the Local Plan for Housing. The Council has
secured planning consent for the proposed development and the
funding released by this decision will enable the consented scheme
to be implemented.

Decision

(1) 
To implement the development, composed of 16 units of specialist
supported housing, as approved in planning application reference
number 24/01168/REG03, or its successors in function.
 
(2) 
To delegate authority to the Director of Capital and Housing
Delivery to accept Homes England Grant, associated with the
development, and other relevant significant delivery decisions.

Reasons for the decision

The consented scheme delivers a low density, sensitive and
small-scale scheme that uses the ecological value of the site as an
asset and opportunity to create a peaceful housing environment for
people with specialist housing needs. The scheme would be able to
provide supported housing with care to around 16 tenants and is
expected to provide the following benefits:
 
· 
Creates an environment
which is sensitive to the particular needs of the client group,
thereby enabling people with learning disabilities and/or autism to
live as independently as possible in their own homes with the care
and support they need on site.
 
· 
Provides an
opportunity to meet the bespoke needs of individuals, especially
those with sensory needs and requiring accessible accommodation.
The site provides a peaceful and low stimulus environment which
will suit many individuals with sensory needs.
 
· 
Reduces the necessity
for people to move out of area to access housing, care, and
support, enabling people to remain in the district, close to
family, community and friends and care teams.
 
· 
Provides an
opportunity for those: inappropriately housed in residential
accommodation (often out of area) to return to the district if they
wish; ability for clients to step down in more independent living;
or those who are living in family or other inappropriate
accommodation and ready to move into further
independence.
 
· 
Opportunity to
integrate and test latest assistive technology.
 
· 
Provides opportunity
for revenue savings from the Councils Specialist Commissioning
revenue budget. Revenue savings can be achieved in part by reducing
reliance on costly out of area placements.
 
· 
The scheme would
support some of the Council’s most complex individuals who
are most at risk of being placed out of area. This will include
some of those transitioning into adults from children’s
services.
 

Alternative options considered

Option 1
 
Disposing of the site on the open market. This option was
dismissed as the Council would lose control over the site, plus the
Council has identified an unmet housing need which this site,
within its ownership, could address.
 
Option 2
 
Do nothing. Not considered feasible given the site is
allocated for residential development within the Council’s
adopted development plan and the Council has demonstrably high
local housing need and a demanding housing delivery
requirement.
 
Option 3
 
Prior to arriving at the preferred option which went on to
be the consented scheme, five options were considered for the site.
These options varied in density but were all more sensitive to the
site than the original scheme. The preferred option was selected on
the basis of fitness for purpose and deliverability.