Recommendation 10

HM Government Rejected

Decline We recognise that the built environment impacts directly on people’s health and can also make healthy choices easier or harder. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes it clear that the planning system can play an important role in creating healthy and inclusive communities based on local health needs and in support of delivering local health and wellbeing strategies. Engagement between plan-making bodies and relevant local health leaders can promote healthy and inclusive communities and support appropriate health infrastructure, including through the provision of safe, suitable, secure and sustainable homes, developments that contribute to walkable and cyclable neighbourhoods, good quality greenspace, and play areas that are near local amenities. We recognise that it is important that new development is accompanied by the right infrastructure, including primary care infrastructure, and that this is supported by the planning system. It is the Government’s policy that local plans are key to identify where development is needed in an area, and to the appropriate supporting infrastructure. This is so developers have a clear expectation of what infrastructure will be required both area-wide and onsite, especially large, allocated sites for residential development. Any new statutory consultees in the planning system would need to be clearly justified, with clear evidence that their input would be effective and not slow down the application process and represent value for money to the taxpayer. While there are some benefits to being a statutory consultee, the decision to grant or refuse a planning application ultimately rests with the local planning authority, which will take into account all relevant planning considerations, including the views of other organisations and bodies (statutory and non-statutory) and the wider community. National planning policy strongly encourages meaningful and early engagement with stakeholders. Whilst we acknowledge the Committee’s interest and argument in this area, we are not currently looking to extend the list of statutory consultees further beyond existing commitments.