- Plan to reduce excessive and persistent noise in homes and neighbourhoods, which can lead to poor mental health
- Reduce the amount of derelict and vacant land, which is associated with a number of poor health outcomes such as reduced mental wellbeing
- Provide access to good quality greenspace, paying attention to design, location and maintenance
- Include places in new developments and in existing neighbourhoods for people to socialise and organise
Source: The Built Environment and Health: an evidence review (GCPH, 2013)
Examples of adopted policies
Newham Core Strategy
- Council will support proposals that improve housing quality and inclusion through better design, and that reduce crime, insecurity and stress
Brighton & Hove Submission City Plan (not yet adopted)
- Planning will support programmes and strategies which aim to reduce health inequalities and promote healthier lifestyles through the following:
- recognise, safeguard and encourage the role of allotments; garden plots within developments; small scale agriculture and farmers markets in providing access to healthy, affordable locally produced food options
Growing Communities Strategy by Belfast City Council and partners
- Strategy aims to ensure that all parts of the community have the opportunity to participate in and experience the benefits of food growing
Further information and examples
Design for social sustainability (Young Foundation, 2011)
Public Health and Landscape: Creating Healthy Places (Landscape Institute, 2013)
Feel Better Outside, Feel Better Inside: Ecotherapy for Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Recovery (Mind, 2013)
Planning Sustainable Cities for Community Food Growing (Sustain, 2014)
PAN06: Food Growing and Development (Brighton & Hove Council, 2011)