The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. Planning influences many of these conditions through decisions about housing, transport, employment, local services, green infrastructure and the design of places.
The National Planning Policy Framework and Draft for Consultation Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance promote a holistic approach to placemaking, recognising the importance of movement, liveability, nature, public space, climate, built form and identity in shaping places. This moves beyond the design of individual buildings to focus on the qualities of places as a whole, recognising that access to homes, services, transport, nature, public spaces and community infrastructure can influence health, wellbeing and quality of life.
The health impacts of development are not the same everywhere. They depend on the characteristics and needs of the people who live in and use a place, as well as the opportunities and challenges already present within the local area.
Understanding local population needs, existing inequalities, community assets and environmental conditions can help ensure development responds to local context and delivers the greatest benefit for current and future communities.
The information in the sections below aims to support healthier development by bringing together national design principles, local data and planning resources in one place to help inform design decisions and strengthen proposals.
A guide for planners and developers
How to use the information and data on this page.