Care model and use assessment
Resident needs, staffing, management, visitors, servicing and the existing lawful use are reviewed to establish the likely planning route.
Residential architecture service
Care Home and Dementia Planning
Care and dementia accommodation requires the building, planning use, resident needs and operating model to be considered together. We support early property assessment, change-of-use strategy, planning applications and architectural layouts while keeping planning, Building Regulations and care regulation clearly separate.
Suitable for
Projects we can support.
- New care homes and nursing homes
- Conversion of existing buildings to care use
- Dementia-friendly residential accommodation
- Extensions and remodelling to existing care settings
- Supported accommodation requiring use-class assessment
Our process
A structured route through the project.
Property and locality appraisal
Access, parking, amenity, neighbours, outdoor space, heritage, flood and policy constraints are tested before commitment.
Planning-led design
Layouts consider legibility, daylight, outlook, safe circulation, shared space, staff functions, servicing and a domestic rather than institutional character where appropriate.
Application and technical coordination
Planning drawings and supporting statements are prepared, with specialist fire, access, transport, landscape and Building Regulations inputs coordinated where required.
Typical deliverables
What the appointment may include.
The final scope is confirmed in a written fee proposal tailored to the property and approval route.
Pre-acquisition planning appraisal
C2/C3/change-of-use assessment
Existing and proposed architectural drawings
Planning and Design and Access Statements
Operational and consultant information schedule
Building Regulations design coordination where appointed
RIBA-aligned scope
Clear stages and responsibilities.
The appointment is aligned to the RIBA Plan of Work stages that are proportionate to a residential project.
Stage 0: strategic need and property appraisal
Stage 1: operational brief and consultant scope
Stage 2: care-led concept design
Stage 3: planning submission and spatial coordination
Stage 4: technical design where appointed
Indicative timescales.
- Initial property and use review: usually 1–3 weeks
- Survey, brief and concept options: commonly 3–6 weeks
- Planning and specialist information: commonly 4–10 weeks
- Planning determination: authority and application-type dependent
Proportionate fixed scopes.
Care projects are priced around the existing building, number and needs of residents, planning-use complexity, consultation risk and the specialist team required. Early property appraisal can be commissioned separately.
Use the fee calculatorSeparate appointments and costs.
- CQC registration and care-quality consultancy
- Business plans, needs assessments and operational policies unless separately sourced
- Fire strategy or fire risk assessment by a competent specialist
- Transport, noise, ecology, landscape and drainage reports
- Structural and civil engineering
- Planning and Building Control application fees
Independent client feedback
Clear advice and dependable communication.
Great service! David was on time with the plans, and his advice has been invaluable throughout the process.Verified homeownerView on MyBuilder
David was a pleasure to deal with throughout. He was easy to talk to and nothing was too much.Verified homeownerView on Checkatrade
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this service.
Is a care home always Class C2?
No. Many care homes and nursing homes fall within Class C2, but the correct planning use depends on the residents, care provided, staffing, household structure and operating model. Some supported accommodation may fall within C3 or another use.
Is planning permission the same as CQC registration?
No. Planning, Building Regulations and CQC registration are separate regimes. A planning approval does not authorise a regulated care activity, and CQC registration does not establish planning permission.
Can you assess a building before a lease or purchase?
Yes. An early appraisal can test the likely use class, planning history, location, layout capacity, access, outdoor space and consultant requirements before commitment.
What information supports a care-home planning application?
The requirements are site-specific, but may include architectural drawings, a planning statement, operational or management information and specialist transport, noise, landscape, drainage, ecology, heritage or fire input.
Discuss your project
Speak directly with a residential architect.
Call now or book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss the property, approval route and likely next steps.