Planning applications take time and preparation, the process can be lengthy and stressful. Our team reduces the burden by providing expert, well-researched evidence to inform planning decisions.
Our expert advisory team has a wealth of experience across the planning and appeals process and is highly specialised in compiling needs assessments and alternative site assessments.
We’re starting the year by celebrating some of our hard work and past successes. We’re proud to have supported these planning applications and appeals in the housing-with-care sector:
1. Bottisham, Cambridgeshire
Development of a Retirement Care Village
This appeal secured approval for a pioneering retirement care village, including housing-with-care and a range of community facilities, for Axis Land Partnerships Ltd.
Carterwood provided evidence highlighting the acute need for housing-with-care in the East Cambridgeshire District. Despite the site’s Green Belt designation, the inspector recognised the pressing need for elderly care accommodation. This project will deliver essential facilities for elderly residents and significantly enhance the district’s extra care housing provision.
2. Halesworth, Suffolk
80-Unit Assisted Living Development
Our work on behalf of Cardinal Healthcare Properties Ltd. led to a successful appeal for 80 assisted living units after the initial application was refused.
Carterwood demonstrated how this development would address the shortfall in extra care provision in both the local market and the East Suffolk District. This positive outcome underscores the importance of ensuring care infrastructure keeps pace with changing demographics.
3. Stapleford, Cambridge
Retirement Care Village and Countryside Park
In Stapleford, Carterwood provided expert evidence on planning needs and alternative sites for a proposed retirement care village.
Given the site’s Green Belt location, this appeal was complex. Our evidence demonstrated significant unmet need and local demand for care home bedspaces and private housing-with-care. The inspector concluded that the local authority had not adequately planned for specialist care housing, allowing the development to proceed
4. Great Boughton, Chester
Care Apartments and Bungalows
Carterwood’s Planning Needs Assessment highlighted the substantial need for private leasehold extra care units in Chester. The application was initially refused due to being in Green Belt. Our thorough Alternative Site Assessment ruled out other sites outside of Green Belt due to size, viability, or planning constraints.
The inspector confirmed no viable alternatives existed and acknowledged the significant local demand. The inspector gave “very substantial weight” to the development’s potential to enhance elderly well-being and reduce pressure on local health services.
5. Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
222-Unit Care Accommodation
Carterwood helped secure planning permission for a substantial 222-unit housing-with-care development on a former Homebase site. The appeal focused on the site’s suitability for elderly care facilities and whether the need for them exceeded the case for affordable housing. After considering the area’s significant unmet need, the inspector gave considerable weight to the development’s contribution toward addressing local care accommodation deficits. This project will provide essential care infrastructure for Surrey’s elderly population.
Looking ahead to your next planning application or appeal
We’re proud of our work on the appeals above. Each one reflects our commitment to providing expert consultancy that meets the technical requirements of the appeal process while addressing the real-world needs of our communities.
If you’d like to learn more about our work, please get in touch or keep reading to find out about our work in supporting successful planning applications.
Celebrating housing-with-care planning permissions
In addition to our work on appeals we have also supported these successful applications in the housing-with-care sector.
- Heatherley Woods, Macclesfield Proposed redevelopment for a 139-unit integrated retirement community, including healthcare, wellbeing, and support facilities, alongside associated infrastructure and landscaping.
- Princess Alexandra House, Stanmore Development of a new retirement community to replace an outdated care home.
- Hutton, Essex. Outline application for a 55-bed assisted living and 77-bed care home development, with communal facilities, parking, landscaped grounds, and associated works.
Find out how we can help you in 2025
These successful applications and appeals reflect our commitment to delivering expert consultancy that meets the technical requirements of the appeals process while addressing real-world community needs.
Email info@carterwood.co.uk for more information or to arrange a chat with one of our advisors.
