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Spatial planning

Spatial planning is the process which determines how spaces can be utilised and developed for purposes such as housing, employment, leisure, retail and healthcare facilities. In Wales, each local planning authoritiy produces a Local Development Plan (LDP) which outlines the long-term spatial planning strategy for the development of the area, by setting out the allocation of land, design quality standards and scale of development to be built. Each LDP focuses on the needs of the local population and is expected to align with the framework set out in the Welsh Government’s Planning Policy Wales document. LDPs in Wales increasingly have a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of their local communities and reducing health inequalities.

Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) are routinely used in planning practice, within both planning policy and development management processes. HIAs can identify the key potential positive and unintended negative impacts of a plan, policy or development, and its impact on health inequalities.

Transcript – Spatial planning and health

Spatial Planning and Health

Our health and well-being is shaped by the places we live: including our home, the environment around us, our access to green spaces and our opportunities to get around by walking, cycling or public transport.

Green spaces and parks provide places for activities and play and access to nature, and they also positively influence our mental well-being.

Having the opportunity to walk or cycle in our local area improves health and helps reduces air pollution levels.

Secure, warm and affordable homes reduce illness, ease stress and improve social connections, and access to healthy food enables us to eat well.

Spatial planning is about managing these spaces that we live in, and determining how land and resources can be developed for uses such as housing, industry and green space.

The close connection of planning to health and well-being is recognised in local development plans in Wales, with local planning authorities ensuring that planning policy enables the development of healthy places.

The location and design of buildings and spaces is important in improving the quality of life for local communities, and in reducing inequalities.

Health impact assessments (or HIAs) are often used as a way of connecting planning and health as they enable consideration of how a plan, policy or decision could impact on people’s health and well-being.

HIAs can be used when plans are being developed to ensure health and equity is embedded within planning policy.

They can also be used during the planning application process as a way of assessing, and then addressing, the potential impacts of a development on health and well-being.

To learn more about HIAs, or the connections between planning and health, and to access guidance and support, contact the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit at Public Health Wales.

Useful tools and templates

WHIASU have developed several key resources which can be used to support the use of HIAs in the preparation of LDPs.

Planning and health in Wales guide

This is a short guide setting out the key organisations engaged in planning and health, their roles and responsibilities, how they work together and what they produce (policies, strategies, guidance etc.). It also highlights some key publications, data sources and toolkits which support planning and health related work, and information about placemaking and wider determinants.

Spatial planning and health guide

Involvement in Local Development Plan preparation

This guide sets out the key stages of LDP preparation and what the opportunities are for health input and engagement. Policy planners in each local planning authority will be able to advise on the methods of engagement for their LDP development. Health Boards are a key partner to engage with in LDP preparation in terms of healthcare service planning, and public health input to consider health and well-being of the current and future population.

Involvement in Local Development Plan preparation

Planning application response template

Although Local Health Boards are not a statutory consultee for planning applications, they are a key public body who should be consulted on certain applications for example residential led developments. It can be agreed locally as to the scale and nature of development that is consulted on i.e. major residential applications, or residential applications over a certain scale, scope and size, retail units or infrastructure projects. It is also possible for the Local Health Board to make comment on applications that they are not directly consulted on, but that they believe will impact on the health of the population and local healthcare services. They can scan weekly application lists to identify key development applications.

This template provides a guide as to the kind of response that could be provided to a planning officer dealing with a planning application from a Local Health Board, it is not intended that every part of it be used for every application but will depend on the nature of the development being proposed. It covers both strategic planning for healthcare services and public health, looking at the wider determinants of health and the impact of a development on health and well-being. Public Health Wales is a statutory consultee for applications from an environmental health perspective. At a national level this is through the Environmental Public Health Service. Locally, environmental health comments may also be made by the Local Health Boards.

Planning application response guide for health boards

Planning application response summary

Planning application response template

HIAs and LDPs: A toolkit for practice

The Toolkit for Practice is focused on the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs) and Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPGs). It aims to maximize positive health and well-being outcomes through land use planning policies that create healthy, equitable and cohesive communities, by providing guidance on how to utilise Health Impact Assessments in planning policy.

Access the toolkit for practice

Key data and evidence

There is a range of evidence and data that can be found from a variety of sources, including local public health teams and local authorities. This data will assist the development of plans, design spaces and create healthy places.

You can find useful data sources and evidence on the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) supporting data and evidence page.

Back to Health Impact Assessment (HIA) topic page