Health and wellbeing

Our health is shaped by many things including where we live, the food we eat, how active we are and the environment around us.

Planning plays a big part in helping shape the places where we live, work and spend our time. That’s why it’s important that the Local Plan supports healthy lifestyles by encouraging walking and cycling, strengthening communities, making healthy food more accessible, and ensuring health and wellbeing are properly considered when making planning decisions.

To encourage healthy communities, we could:

• Protect existing parks, play areas and sports facilities
• Provide more spaces and activities for young people
• Make sure new schools can also support after-school clubs and activities
• Ensure there are enough GP surgeries and health centres to meet local needs
• Design new developments in ways that promote healthy lifestyles
• Protect and improve green spaces for relaxation, exercise and wellbeing
• Expand and maintain pedestrian footpaths and cycle routes to support active travel and healthier living
• Make better use of canals and waterways, including towpaths for walking and cycling
• Create spaces for active recreation, such as green gyms, play areas and running trails
• Improve access to green spaces for growing food, including more allotments in new developments
• Adapt existing sports and leisure facilities to meet changing needs and interests

Now that you have read the introduction, please take a moment to complete the short survey.