MPs to examine how better planning can promote public health
Meeting details
MPs will examine the role of neighbourhood design and town planning in this major inquiry into how to prevent ill-health. Access to fast-food outlets, pubs and betting shops contribute to city centres being ranked as the ‘unhealthiest’ places to live, with poor air quality and a lack of green spaces. In the third session to focus on ‘healthy places’, the Committee will consider the scope to ensure that planning policies and decisions take public health into account.
Questions are expected to cover national planning policy, health inequalities relating to where people live, and what lessons could be drawn from projects including the pioneering ‘Healthy New Towns’ programme.
The role of ‘healthy places’ is the second theme to be explored by the Committee in the Prevention in health and social care inquiry. The impact of poor housing on health was the focus of the previous session.