ADPH response to planning consultation

Housing and the nature of the built environment are key determinants of health across the course of our lives.

Poor, ‘unhealthy’ housing can have serious long-term effects on both physical and mental health and wellbeing and neighbourhood design influences physical activity levels, travel patterns, social connectivity, mental and physical health and wellbeing outcomes. Planning therefore has a central role in delivering environments that are health promoting and positive,

Directors of Public Health (DsPH) have a clear role in working within local planning systems to use the built environment to improve health outcomes for local populations and we would like to see public health and planning teams working together more closely to deliver healthier places for local populations.

We have highlighted why the impact on health should be considered in all planning decisions, and the role that DsPH play, in our response to the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework Consultation.