WYG and housing for the elderly
We are delighted to welcome Nigel Abbott, Planning Director at WYG to speak at our Future Cities Forum in March. Nigel will be explaining the planning issues around building homes for elderly people with good design in mind.
Chronic health problems often leading to decreased mobility mean that older people find it hard to maintain an active lifestyle within the community. Add to that trouble with way-finding and understanding signs among those with dementia, and it becomes clear how high quality planning is much needed. Sometimes there is less cost involved to enable the elderly to live independently, if good design has been thought about before schemes are built and simply adding in benches to sit on or effective lighting can make all the difference in our cities.
Nigel's work at WYG comprises a wide mix of projects for a variety of clients, including developers, landowners, public authorities and private individuals. His role includes the provision of planning advice, undertaking Planning Appraisals, preparation, submission and negotiation of Planning Applications including presenting schemes at Planning Committee, acting as witness in Appeals, preparation and submission of local plan representations and Expert Witness work. The types of projects he advises on include residential uses, including older persons housing, commercial, leisure and infrastructure development. Since 1995 Nigel has undertaken work in every London borough and many of the local authorities across the South East and beyond.
WYG has a wide range of experience advising clients in relation to older persons housing. Nigel's personal experience includes obtaining planning permission from Epsom & Ewell BC in June 2016 for a site in Ewell of a revised scheme for 60 Extra Care apartments with communal facilities and sports pavilion following previous refusal. He also obtained planning permission in March 2018 from Mid Sussex District Council for a site in Horsted Keynes for extensions to an existing care home to create 24 extra care units, a new dining room and 12 bedspace Dementia Care unit.
WYG's London Planning team is working on master-plan developments which include a variety of different housing types including specific housing for older people and WYG's Cardiff office is currently working with Magna Housing in Dorset on a 54 unit facility, designed to accord with HAPPI principles.
Join our discussions at Angel Court, City of London for what should be thought provoking and worthwhile debate.