The State of the Union: Reuniting Health with Planning

This TCPA report provides a picture of the effectiveness of collaboration between the planning, public health and healthcare sectors. It provides an overview of the state of local policy, based on a review of Local Plans and Local Development Plans created by the 326 English and 22 Welsh local planning authorities.

The review found that most local planning policies make explicit links to health and wellbeing outcomes in transport, open space and recreation and design policies. However, they were weaker in taking into account local health strategies and health needs assessments, even though this is a requirement in national policy. They were also weak in terms of the extent to which they require the use of health impact assessments in planning applications.

The report assesses the state of current practice against recommendations set out in the TCPA’s 2012 publication, Reuniting Health with Planning – Healthier Homes, Healthier Communities (opens new window).