Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Members considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment providing a guidance note advising developers how to carry out Health Impact Assessments on developments within planning applications.

Members were advised that the checklist for developers was a draft document and had not yet gone through the consultation process which would happen in March/April. Officers confirmed that there was currently no strictly imposed method concerning Health Impact Assessments (HIA) and there was a desire to focus on health impacts. It was hoped guidance tailored for City specific issues and encouraging the benefits of including this would help the overall process.

Members welcomed the comprehensive checklist. A Member particularly supported the questions concerning open spaces.

A Member enquired how this linked with the decision-making Planning process and, if insufficient, if it would influence the decision on the application. It was confirmed that an application would not be refused, but Officers would guide the developer to mitigate adverse concerns.

Members voiced concerns regarding suicide prevention, and it was agreed that prevention measures should be included and reinforced with developers as it was their responsibility to prevent this particularly with taller buildings.

A Member requested more clarity concerning what next steps could be taken if Planning Officers were not satisfied by the HIA. It was noted that a HIA was a statutory requirement in Wales. Officers confirmed that larger developers commonly used consultants to complete HIAs, but the checklist would hopefully help make it easier for everyone as they generally wished to be compliant. All HIAs are reviewed by Planning Officers who point out any concerns to the developer.

A Member (who also sat on the Planning & Transportation Committee) noted that planners normally negotiated throughout the process and requests such as stairs that can be seen and used was in the checklist, but had not been a significant feature in recent applications. Officers confirmed that this was included to encourage developers that this was a good idea but was not always possible. The Chair felt that Members needed to hold a firmer line when making decisions on planning applications and a golden thread of health should run through all policies. This would reinforce the point to developers to do better.

A Member noted that there was little mention of residents or health within the checklist and offered to make comments on behalf of Healthwatch. Members were invited to send any comments directly to the Planning Officer or within the public consultation process.

Members were concerned that developers would not complete or take the HIA seriously if they did not have to and a Member queried if the requirement could be moved up the list. It was agreed that a resolution be sent to the Planning & Transportation Committee indicating the Board’s keenness for health impacts compliance to be reinforced to developers.

RESOLVED – That:-

·         Members approve, subject to the incorporation of any changes sought by this Committee, the Health Impact Assessment Guidance Note (Appendix 1);

·         a resolution be made to the Planning & Transportation Committee demonstrating the Health & Wellbeing Board’s support to for adequate Health Impact Assessments and the reinforced compliance of developers.