Embedding HIA into town planning (development control) Andy Pennington IMPACT

Presentation overview Why town planning and development control? Overview of the development control system. Where does HIA fit? Why major developments & screening? Working with planners.

Why town planning? UK planning system controls land-use development: – Land-uses and their location. – Scale and nature of developments. Impacts on every layer of socio- environmental model of health. (Dahlgren and Whitehead, 1991).

Why development control? Local Planning Authority structure: o Planning Policy department – Creates policy framework – Designates use class areas o Development Control department – Determines individual applications for development Both important to health and closely related. Impacts of policies addressed by Sustainability Appraisals or HIAs. PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS (preaching to the unconverted!)

Decisions on planning applications 'must be made in accordance with the development plan unless other material considerations indicate otherwise‘ (Section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004). The development control system

The development plan Legal documents make up the ‘development plan’ (within the LDF): – The Core Strategy / Development Plan Policies – Supplementary Planning Documents – Local Validation List  Material considerations: discretion about specifics of a proposal and its local context (e.g. Economic & health).

Where does HIA fit? As part of the ‘development plan’/Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Development Plan Policy - HIAs to be conducted of major developments* A Supplementary Planning Document – Shows when HIA is required/screening – Defines health and guides HIA The Local Validation Checklist

Why ‘major developments’ and screening? Highest profile developments & biggest potential impacts. Takes into account current limited capacity. Relates development to local health context/significance. Prevents HIA becoming a major barrier to development. Adjustable ‘major development’ threshold (not 15 years!).

Working with planners Open to the wider determinants of health. Policy AND development control planners. Benefits: – Sense of ownership. – Raise awareness. – Familiarisation with tools. – Information specific to their needs. – Tools and guidance related to the local context. Continued support.

Key points Planning system can provide link to private developments. HIA can operate within existing planning systems. Need to work with planners to identify opportunities and address issues. Use existing materials - but relate to local policy and procedural context. Give capacity time to develop and allow flexibility. Provide (limited) continued support.

Thank you

Policy drivers for HIA in planning Localism/Localism Bill and the ‘general power of competence’. Equalities Act. Sustainable development. Proposed changes to planning.

IMPACT, International Health Impact Assessment Consortium, Division of Public Health, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool. L69 3GB Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0)