New guidance empowers councils to integrate health and wellbeing into planning and design

Today we’ve launched new guidance to support councils in integrating health and wellbeing into planning and design. Titled Creating health and wellbeing: A partnership approach to evidence-led planning and design in our cities, towns and villages, this comprehensive guide aims to bridge the gap between planning and public health, providing actionable insights for decision-makers at all levels.

We developed the guidance in collaboration with masterplanning, planning and economics practice Prior + Partners. It has been welcomed by both the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Public Health.

The guide is tailored for those working in councils in England who shape and curate places, offering them the tools and knowledge to foster environments that enhance community health and wellbeing. It will also be valuable to public health professionals who wish to gain deeper insights into the planning process, and to understand at what points in the process they could meaningfully contribute.

Guide highlights

The guidance is split into easy-to-navigate sections. It includes a description of the ingredients of a healthy place, before explaining the role local planning authorities can play in creating them. It describes the different levels at which health and wellbeing can be brought into strategies, plans and policies and foregrounds the use of evidence in doing so. Importantly, it includes a useful diagram of the network of organisations and partners that should be involved in taking a holistic approach to delivering health and wellbeing. 

 

Why the guide is needed

Our co-founder and director Matthew Morgan, explained: “We are excited to launch this guide, which represents a significant step forward in repairing the critical link between planning and public health. By using evidence-based and – crucially – collaborative approaches, local authorities can make informed decisions that not only improve the quality of life for residents but also create sustainable, healthy communities. 

“This guide shows planners and others in relevant fields that they’re not on their own in this work. We hope it’ll catalyse conversations across council teams and with other local stakeholders”

Shaun Andrews, director at Prior + Partners, added: “As we seek to realign planning and public health, restoring its original purpose, this guide seeks to unlock the power of planning to create health and wellbeing through excellent place shaping. Healthy places can also unlock productivity and boost economic growth so I hope that the guide will prove valuable for local authorities seeking to embed health and wellbeing into their planning processes. It provides clarity on the mechanisms available to planning authorities and illustrates how evidence can be effectively utilised to shape policies and plans.”

Endorsements

Councillor David Fothergill, chair of the LGA Community Wellbeing Board, welcomed the guidance: “Where we live profoundly impacts our health and wellbeing. Instead of relying solely on the NHS to treat the symptoms of poor health, we should shift our focus to creating health by ensuring conditions that promote wellbeing. 

“This publication is incredibly useful as it provides clear guidance and evidence-based tools for councils to shape healthier, more equitable communities. The innovative case studies throughout the publication highlight the vital role of planning in addressing health inequalities and cultivating healthier environments.”

Darrell Gale, Chair of the Association of Directors of Public Health Healthy Places Advisory Group also supports the publication: “Public health teams across the country are working with their colleagues in planning, and other departments, as well as the local community, to create environments that promote good health and wellbeing by making the things that improve our health accessible and affordable to everyone, regardless of their income, education or where they live. This helpful guide has brought together evidence-based tools and real-life examples to showcase the very best of what can be achieved by working in partnership like this at a local level.”