Section 106 Bungalows Explained: What the Eligibility Requirement Actually Means
If you've been looking into our bungalows and come across the term "Section 106 agreement," you might have paused. Planning law terminology has a habit of sounding more complicated, and more restrictive, than it actually is.
In short, a Section 106 agreement is a standard planning condition that ties eligibility for our bungalows to a care need. It isn't unusual, it isn't a bureaucratic obstacle designed to catch people out, and it doesn't mean you need to be in crisis before you can move in. This article explains what it actually means, why it exists, and what it looks like in practice for anyone considering a bungalow with us.
What is a Section 106 agreement?
A Section 106 agreement is a legally binding planning obligation, named after Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Local councils use them to attach conditions to a planning permission, often to make sure a development serves the purpose it was approved for.
They're common across the country, not just in care settings. You'll find Section 106 agreements attached to affordable housing schemes, developments with a local connection requirement, and, as in our case, care-led housing where the planning permission was granted on the basis that homes would go to people with a genuine care need.
The agreement is tied to the land itself, not to any individual owner, so it applies for as long as the properties exist in that form. It isn't something Lavender Fields invented or added on top; it's a condition of the planning permission that allowed the bungalows to be built in the first place.
Why does a care-need requirement exist for our bungalows?
Councils typically require this kind of condition when planning permission is granted specifically for care-related housing rather than general open-market housing. It ensures the homes are used for the purpose they were approved for, supporting people who genuinely benefit from living close to a care setting, rather than becoming standard housing stock disconnected from that purpose.
In practice, this is good news for residents rather than a hurdle. It means everyone living in the bungalows is there for a similar reason, which helps build a genuine community with shared understanding, rather than a mix of unrelated buyers with no connection to the wider village.
People sometimes hear "Section 106" and assume it's a barrier. It isn't. It's simply what keeps our bungalows connected to their purpose, which is exactly what makes the community here work the way it does. – Lavender Fields
Does this mean I need significant care needs to qualify?
No. The care-need requirement is intentionally broad. It's designed to capture the reality that most people considering a bungalow with us are at an earlier stage of needing support, wanting reassurance and community nearby, rather than requiring hands-on daily care. You don't need to already be receiving care, and you certainly don't need to be in crisis.
Our team assess eligibility individually and can talk through your specific circumstances honestly and without pressure. If you're unsure whether you'd qualify, the simplest step is to ask rather than assume, and you can reach the team directly through our contact page.
What does this mean if my circumstances change after I move in?
Nothing changes about your right to live in your bungalow. The care-need requirement applies at the point of moving in, as part of eligibility, not as an ongoing test you have to keep passing. If your needs increase over time, the wider Lavender Fields model is actually built around that, with the care journey explaining how a transition to full residential care at Provence House can work later on if it's ever needed.
Does it affect selling the property in future?
Section 106 agreements are registered against the property, so any future sale would need to go to someone who also meets the same care-need eligibility, since the condition stays with the land rather than any individual owner. This is a standard feature of this type of agreement, not something specific to Lavender Fields, and our team can talk through what it means in practice for your particular situation, including timelines and process, when the time comes.
What should I do if I'm still unsure whether I'd qualify?
Ask. This is genuinely the simplest and most reliable route, since eligibility depends on individual circumstances rather than a single fixed rule. Our team deal with these questions regularly and would rather have an honest conversation early than let uncertainty put someone off unnecessarily. You can also see what bungalow life looks like day to day at our bungalows page, and book a visit to discuss eligibility in person through get started.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Section 106 agreement unusual for a care village? No, it's a common planning condition for this type of care-led development, and it exists to make sure bungalows continue serving the purpose they were built for.
Do I need to be receiving formal care already to be eligible? No. The requirement is broad, and many residents move in while largely independent, simply valuing the reassurance of care support nearby.
Will my eligibility be reassessed after I move in? No, eligibility applies at the point of moving in. If your care needs increase later, the wider village model, including a possible transition to Provence House, is designed to support that rather than affect your right to remain in your bungalow.
Can I sell my bungalow to anyone in future? The owner doesn’t need to have the Section 106, but the future occupant would also need to meet the same care-need eligibility, since the Section 106 condition is tied to the property. Our team can explain the process in more detail when the time comes.
How do I find out if I'd be eligible? The best step is simply to ask. Get in touch through our contact page, or book a visit to talk it through in person alongside seeing the bungalows for yourself.