Research reveals that 32% of local authorities are missing clear policies in their local plan to support housing for older and senior people.
The report Unlocking Potential for Seniors Housing Development, by Irwin Mitchell and Knight Frank, built on existing research carried out in 2017, 2020 and 2022, which ranked local authorities between "A" and "D", according to the provisions in their local plans for seniors' housing.
The organisation said the lack of provision by some local authorities is a "significant" shortcoming and worrying given the UK's ageing population.
It is forecast that the number of people aged over 65 will increase to more than 15 million (one if four) by 2043.
Survey results for the 2024 research found that out of 326 local authorities in England:
An "A" rating means that the council has clear policies detailing the required number of dwellings and care home beds, how this will be achieved together and specific site allocations. Those with a "D" rating had neither clear policies nor site allocation.
Oliver Knight, Partner and the Head of Residential Research at Knight Frank, explained that previous research showed significant progress, but this analysis "suggests that over the last two years, the pace of change has stalled".
"A third of local authorities are still to adopt specific planning policies and site allocations addressing seniors housing. Some 34 have moved backwards over the last two years. The appetite from investors and developers to deliver more age-appropriate housing is clear and growing. A more consistent and supportive policy environment will unlock more supply, more propositions, and more choice for seniors".
Nicola Gooch, Planning Partner at Irwin Mitchell, highlighted that planning "remains one of the biggest challenges facing the seniors housing sector in England".
"This year’s survey is released in the run-up to a general election and at the end of a period of unprecedented political turmoil. Since the last report was published there have been two changes of prime minister, three secretaries of state at DLUHC and six housing ministers. We have seen the Levelling-Up & Regeneration Act 2023 enter the statute books, major amendments made to the NPPF, and the publication of more than a dozen consultations on a wide variety of proposed reforms to the planning system".
"Against that background, the policy inertia that we have experienced is disappointing, but probably not surprising. We have seen a decline in the number of new local plans as several local authorities have either delayed or withdrawn their local plans as they try to get to grips with ever-moving and changing government policy".
However, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) now contains a greater focus on the sector following reforms, as does the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, while the Older Person's Housing Taskforce is due to report later this year. The introduction of National Development Management Policies also has the potential to make a "huge difference" to the sector.
Gooch added: "It is starting to feel as if the supportive policy environment that we need to enable the sector to thrive might, finally, be in reach".
However, she said, both local and national governments need to take "a proactive approach if we are to unlock the potential of senior housing in England" and there is "a long way to go before the necessary support is in place to deliver our population’s elderly housing needs in full".
