Planning for healthy places: new guidance launched

New practical guidance to help local authorities in England create places that promote health was launched today (Monday 30 September) by the TRUUD research programme and the Town and Country Planning Association.

Subtitled, ‘a practical guide for local authorities on embedding health in Local Plans and planning policies in England’, the guidance was created in response to research that found that while Local Plans have the potential to create healthy places, they can be weak and inconsistent on how exactly this can be achieved.

The guidance includes clear guidance, evidence and recommendations (with specific examples from adopted Local Plans) that should be considered when developing health-focused Local Plans and policies.

It outlines the importance of planning in creating healthier places. It provides an approach to preparing healthy Local Plans organised under three guidance themes – universal, policy and implementation – and includes examples of adopted policy from across England.

Co-lead author Dr Emma Bird, Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of the West of England said: ‘Our research identified a clear gap between what local authorities want to achieve in terms of creating healthier places and available guidance on exactly how to do this. As well as being a user-friendly guide for planning and public health officers and elected members, it will be useful for other local and national stakeholders such as people working in transport, sustainability and community engagement.’

Co-lead author Gemma Hyde, Projects and Policy Manager at the TCPA added: ‘We know from our work with local authorities that there is a desire to better embed health and wellbeing into local plans, but often officers find it difficult to know where and how to begin. This guidance, which is evidenced based, practical and inspirational, offers a process and support for creating healthy local plans, signposting to resources and highlighting examples of high-quality adopted policy.’

‘The TCPA are committed to supporting local authorities and can offer free training, support and facilitated workshops to places and communities looking to plan, design and build places for healthy lives.’

Carrie Wood, Senior Public Health Lead for the Wider Determinants of Health, Surrey County Council added: ‘Surrey County Council welcomed the opportunity to support developing this guidance from a two-tier authority perspective. It brings together best practices, offering options to meet diverse district and borough needs and highlights opportunities to integrate health considerations within the Local Plan process.’

The guidance was created with planning and public health officers from seven local authorities in England – Bristol City Council, Guildford Borough Council, Medway Council, Northumberland County Council, Southampton City Council, Surrey County Council, Walsall Council. It will updated as appropriate and in response to any changes in national policy.

The guidance can be downloaded here.