Specialist Housing for Individuals with Learning Difficulties Needed
The UK is currently grappling with a shortage of housing options for individuals with learning difficulties. In 2021, it was estimated that about 1.5 million people in the UK had a learning disability.
As the demand for customised housing for learning difficulties grows, Prime Land Consultants, a specialist land agency, has taken on the crucial task of identifying and acquiring appropriate properties. Ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, each one will be transformed into about six special apartments designed to cater to the needs of individuals with learning difficulties.
Tom Rankin, the founder of Prime Land Consultants, highlights his land agency’s mission:
“We aim to procure suitable properties discreetly in specific areas such as Northampton, Peterborough, Milton Keynes, Luton and Ipswich specially adapted for individuals with learning difficulties. Many of our acquisitions happen off-market through negotiated transactions, via our extensive network of contacts. We can also advise landowners and property owners with the right buildings to ensure they receive good prices and reasonably hassle-free sales.
“The specialist properties would accommodate individuals with conditions such as autism, mental health disorders and physical disabilities.”
The ideal locations are urban areas close to essential amenities, with a street frontage and some car parking. Good properties may include former care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges, or training centres with fewer than 20 bedrooms. It is also advantageous, but not essential, if these buildings already have planning permission for residential care homes, use class C2.
Tom Rankin from Prime Land Consultants elaborates: “Our clients are dedicated to creating purpose-built apartments tailored to individuals with severe and moderate learning disabilities. These would cater for a wide range of conditions, such as autism, mental health disorders, physical disabilities, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, seasonal affective disorder, PICA (an eating disorder), and severe speech and language delay disorders.”
Ideal Developments for Specialist Learning Difficulties Properties
Prime Land Consultants suggest several types of properties that could be suited for converting into these customised apartments for those with learning difficulties:
- Redundant pubs with living accommodations above.
- Small hotels that have ceased operations.
- Former restaurants with residential letting spaces.
Offices that can be repurposed for residential use, some of which may have originally been converted from residential spaces into offices.
Currently, Prime Land is actively searching for suitable housing for individuals with learning difficulties in the following urban areas:
- Northampton
- Peterborough
- Milton Keynes
- Leighton Buzzard
- Ipswich
In conclusion, Tom Rankin at the specialist land agency invites chartered surveyors, solicitors and property professionals or landowners to contact him. The goal is to make the most of these properties’ potential to provide much-needed housing solutions for individuals with learning difficulties.
Prime Land Consultants are also currently looking to buy land for later living villages for new care homes.
