Recently, we launched our Development Benefits Assessment (DBA) report, giving developers unrivalled access to a wealth of personalised data and analysis exploring the social and economic benefits of developing care homes.
Drawing on sources such as government data, The King’s Fund, Skills for Care and Carterwood Collab, Carterwood’s DBA provides deeper insight into the local and regional context to support planning applications.
This article explores this data through a practical example, which represents the various benefits that can be assessed for an individual care home development.
Unpicking the data: a case study in data-driven planning success
Picture this, a developer is preparing to submit a planning application for a care home in Bristol. The care home will provide high-quality care accommodation, with single occupancy bedrooms, each equipped with a full en-suite wetroom.
They are already submitting a Planning Need Assessment as supporting evidence to show the inspector that appropriate due diligence has been undertaken in terms of understanding the need for a care home in the area. However, they know the council are keen to understand the overall impact on the local area and that they want to prioritise developments that help to improve it.
The National Planning Policy Framework highlights that Local Authorities should: “Secure developments that will improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area. Decision-makers at every level should seek to approve applications for sustainable development where possible.”
Highlighting the benefits clearly during the initial planning stages can provide answers to questions before they’re asked, helping to avoid the need to go to appeal.
Showcasing value: Highlighting the economic benefits of development
The report highlights the economic benefits of developing a care home in this area, including the number of jobs created in the area during both the construction phase and operational phase.
Looking at our Bristol-based care home example, the project will result in an £11m gross value added during the construction phase and a £3.6m annual gross value added during the operational phase.
Building a thriving community: Highlighting social benefits
The developer wanted to highlight the social benefits early on in the process to avoid risking the application being refused.
The DBA report shows that developing a new care home in this area would provide significant social benefits. The data unpicks employment levels in the area, as well as available NHS beds and delayed discharges, care homes in the area and rates of unpaid carers.
By delving a little deeper into the geographic area, we can see that there is a higher proportion of unemployment locally in construction and public administration, education and health when compared with the wider South West and England as a whole.
Improving social outlook
The report also found the rates of delayed discharges in the area were higher than other nearby areas.
The developer was able to show that there was a need for a care home in the area and that this would help alleviate pressures on the NHS.
The addition of a new care home in the area would improve the social outlook in the area considerably by providing opportunities for employment and reducing the burden on unpaid carers.
Building a thriving community: Highlighting environmental benefits
As Local Authorities continue to focus on building communities that are environmentally sound, investors and developers need to be more savvy at the planning stage.
Government frameworks are explicit about a need to build sustainable developments. The DBA highlights EPC data as well as the impact of resource management and emissions.
Our developer was able to promote the energy efficiency a new development would provide over the other older care homes in the area that were not functioning as efficiently.
Better data, better outcomes
Our DBA demonstrates to the planning authority why the scheme is a valuable addition to the local economy and how it can positively impact the local community. By highlighting local social, economic and environmental factors, developers can back up their application with real data, ensuring the benefits of development are at the forefront of their application.
Data that delivers impact
Our Development Benefits Assessment (DBA) Report provides clear, data-backed insights around the positive impact of care homes. This report is also available to support retirement living applications.
Sharing a DBA alongside a Planning Needs Assessment (PNA) can be the difference between having planning approved and going to appeal.
Find out more by speaking to one of our team.
