The CIEH has lent its support to new guidance that aims to ensure health promotion is integrated into the planning process.
Working with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) the CIEH has supported the launch of the RTPI Good Practice Note 5: Delivering Healthy Communities:
- RTPI calls for public health promotion and tackling health inequalities to be integrated into planning
- New guidance from the RTPI highlights that planning is key to healthy lifestyles; access to green space, minimising car use and promoting access to fresh food can have a significant impact on people’s health
- The RTPI believes that local health trusts should be made statutory consultees for local planning procedures to strategically ‘plan in good health’
CIEH Principal Policy Officer Bob Mayho said:
“The CIEH welcomes the new RTPI guidance. We firmly share the view that there is an urgent need to improve understanding on a wide range of urban-environment interactions that influence health.
“With the RTPI we believe that the best way to do this is by integrating public health and spatial planning processes, enabling the two professions to promote health and wellbeing through the delivery of neighbourhoods that promote and provide opportunities for active lifestyles.”
To help support this vital area of work the CIEH has worked with the RTPI to host a one-day Planning to Achieve event, bringing together health and planning practitioners.
The Good Practice Note is one of a series prepared by the RTPI primarily intended for planning practitioners in the UK, however much of the generic advice may benefit other professionals.
This guidance has been led by the RTPI Environment and Planning Network (EPN). It is available to download, along with supporting online resources and case studies at www.rtpi.org.uk/item/1795/23/5/3.