Current planning involves linking economic, social and environmental issues and the strategies and programmes of public agencies and service providers to create attractive places to improve the quality of life and well being of individuals and communities. Planning has a crucial role to play in addressing health inequalities. Local planning policies, and the location of new development and facilities, should enable people to have a choice of high quality and attractive places to live and allow them to reach the services they need and, for the services they need to reach them.
The Joint Core Strategy for the Black Country sets out the policies for directing development in relation to housing, employment, transport as well as social infrastructure like hospitals, clinics and schools, over the next 20 years. Major increases the number of new households, where they will be located and the socio-economic make-up of communities will have major implications for the Black Country in the coming years.
Dudley Council are commencing a Planning for Health Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which will form part of the Local development Framework for Dudley and it will ensure that the health implications of any new development are considered.
The aims of this SPD will be:
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To explain how the Council intends to address the affect which the built and natural environment has on health as part of a strategic approach to addressing the Borough’s obesity problem and health inequalities.
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To provide supporting information and guidance for planners and investors in line with that which is set out in the Development Strategy DPD.
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To impose distance restrictions on the creation of new takeaways in proximity to schools, youth amenities and recreational areas and reduce the clustering of hot food takeaways.
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To conform with, and add value to the ‘Food for Health’ Action Plan for Dudley and the Borough’s Healthy Towns Initiative and Community Strategy
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To explore the possibility of seeking developer contributions from new takeaways towards initiatives to tackle obesity and working with hot food takeaways to improve the nutritional value of the food they sell.
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To improve opportunities to access healthy food in new developments.
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To be an important material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
An initial stage of consultation is being undertaken from Friday 21st October - 18th November 2011. This consultation aims to gather the views and comments of everyone early on in the process to help shape the document. We have set out some of the issues regarding planning and health, and 6 questions in the letter below. If you wish to respond to this consultation, please feel free to answer these questions and return them to us before 18th November. You may contact us by email, telephone or fax using the details below. All comments received at this stage will be used to inform the draft SPD which will be subject to statutory consultation early next year, when again, you may give your views.
Rachel Gandolfi
Senior Planning Officer, Policy
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Directorate of the Urban Environment
Planning Policy Section
Tel: 01384 816964 (direct)
Fax: 01384 814141
email: rachel.gandolfi@dudley.gov.uk
