Putting health first in planning policy

The updated National Planning Policy Framework has real potential to support healthier places for us to all live, learn, work, and play. The priority now must be keeping health front and centre as these decisions are implemented and developed.

The revised national framework contains a number of encouraging updates, including a strengthened focus on health inequalities as a key consideration in planning and decision making. To deliver the greatest benefit for communities, health must be consistently embedded across all stages of the planning process and spaces of development, says the Association of Directors of Public Health.

Darrell Gale, ADPH spokesperson for Healthy Places and Director of Public Health for East Sussex County Council, said:

“We need health to become a central consideration in every planning decision – even in areas that may seem unrelated to health.

“That’s because our health is shaped by so much more than healthcare and includes the conditions in which we live throughout our lives, including access to safe homes, green spaces, strong social connections, and affordable, nutritious food. By planning for these wider factors, we can truly give people the freedom to lead healthier lives, while delivering co-benefits for our environment and the economy.

“As local leaders for health, Directors of Public health are uniquely placed to work with partners across sectors to help realise these benefits, and this framework provides a valuable foundation for strengthening that partnership. To make the most of the opportunity, these plans must be supported by appropriate resourcing, ensuring our public health teams have the capacity to deliver these positive outcomes across communities.”

Alongside these measures, we encourage the Government to further consider how restrictions around fast-food outlets will be operationalised.

Alice Wiseman, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health and Director of Public Health for Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council, said:

“We were concerned to see the reference to fast-food outlets removed from the updated framework but welcome the Government’s commitment to exploring other effective planning measures, especially changes to the Use Classes Order. This is a significant opportunity to ensure fast-food outlets are effectively regulated and to support environments where everyone, regardless of where they live or how much they earn, can make the healthier choice the easier choice.”