What are Health Impact Assessments?
Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) are an objective tool used to predict and measure the potential health impacts of a proposed scheme upon both the existing and future population of an area. Impacts that can be considered in an HIA cover a range of health and wellbeing elements and can include consideration of the design and provision of services and social infrastructure, access to open space, site accessibility, community safety and cohesion, support for healthy lifestyles, access to work and training, and environmental issues.
The importance of HIAs in urban planning and development
Our recent findings indicate that 64% of local authorities in England that have updated their local plans in some form since January 2023, now require HIAs (under certain conditions). This trend highlights the growing recognition and importance of HIAs in urban planning and development, as healthier communities often correlate with higher social value. By integrating HIAs into local planning processes, authorities are ensuring that health considerations are central to the design and implementation of new schemes, thereby enhancing social value in the community.
Ashfields District Council (Nottinghamshire) submitted their new emerging local plan 2023-2040 in April 2024. This includes Policy SD13 ‘Provision and Protection of Health and Community Facilities’ which states; “For larger development schemes (50+ dwellings), the Council may require the applicant to submit a HIA to identify the health implications for the local population arising from the development.”
Ashfield District Council also has a specific policy dedicated to social value (Policy SD1) within this emerging local plan which states; “All development in Ashfield will maximise social value in order to deliver as many public benefits as possible. All major developments will be required to submit a Social Value Strategy (SVS) demonstrating how social value is achieved throughout the life cycle of the development.”
These examples illustrate the steps that local authorities are taking to ensure health and social value are integral parts of future built environments. By prioritising health through HIAs and emphasising social value, these local authorities are paving the way for more sustainable and beneficial community development.
Look out for upcoming news on the developments in Health Net Gain, to work alongside these HIAs.
