Comment
Local Plan Review: Preferred Approach 2016-2035
Representation ID: 1800
Received: 07/02/2019
Respondent: Anna Khoo
Dementia care provision through care homes or other safe green spaces should be considered as part of wellbeing planning. Need for such services is expected to increase and communities should not be left without adequate provision for want of a specific policy - there is no specific planning policy protecting or necessitating dementia care facilities and this has caused issues in the past.
Dementia care provision will need to increase and should considered in planning (see West Sussex's representations on the Whyke Lodge care home planning application 17/01712/FUL - objection dated 26 Jul 2017)
The district council refused the application to convert the care home into flats but lacked a specific planning policy to refer to when trying to protect dementia care provision and care for the elderly as a community facility/asset.
The appeal resolved in the council's favour but it may help to have a more specific planning policy included in some form to ensure communities are not left without such facilities.
It has also been noted that gardens or open meadow spaces can be beneficial for those with dementia. Perhaps more secure green spaces where people with dementia can relax attached to healthcare buildings or other safe spaces without worries about getting lost could be considered in planning public open space.