Policy overview
9.82 Co-living Schemes are not defined in national policy or guidance. They are purpose-built residential schemes, that often comprise studio bedspaces with access to shared communal facilities. Schemes may be new build, or conversions of existing buildings. They fall under a sui generis planning use class, and are not restricted to any particular user group, i.e. students.
9.83 Co-living is a relatively new housing model which allows occupiers to live together communally with accommodation containing individual bedrooms and communal areas such as kitchens, living areas, and areas to work.
9.84 Co-living schemes are being promoted by developers as a more affordable and transitional form of purpose built rented accommodation for various groups of people such as young professionals or recent graduates who are on their way to transitioning to rented self-contained flats or houses, or home ownership.
9.85 Some co-living schemes are aimed at other groups, such as older people, who have chosen to move out of individual homes, and live communally. There are also examples of co-living schemes in the UK where intergenerational living is promoted.
9.86 Co-living is considered to provide an alternative to traditional shared housing, and often includes the provision of additional services and facilities, such as on-site gyms and concierge services.
9.87 The adopted B&NES Local Plan does not currently comprise a policy relating to co-living developments, against which to assess planning applications. As such, policy options are set out below relating to location and provision, affordable housing, and amenity standards.
Policy options
We are suggesting options in our approach to three areas of the policy overview above:
Select a link to view these options and give your feedback.
Read the Housing topic paper and Local Housing Need Assessment (LHNA) for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.