DM16 — Promoting healthy communities.

DM16.1 The Council, working with relevant organisations, will ensure the creation of healthy communities which encourage healthy behaviours and lifestyles by requiring developments to: a. Consider health and wellbeing during the design of a development to maximise potential health gains and ensure any negative impacts can be mitigated; b. Ensure access to open spaces and facilities for sport, recreation, play and food growing; c. Promote active travel and physical activity through cycling and walking opportunities that are well linked to existing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure; d. Create spaces for social interaction and community engagement which are designed to be safe and accessible to all; and e. Assess and mitigate pollutants and other environmental impacts on health. Croydon Local Plan 2024 6.170 New development in the borough needs to be supported by health and social infrastructure to ensure communities have access to facilities and services they require at every stage of their lives. Facilities should be accessible to all and should be easily reached by walking, cycling or public transport. The Council will continue to work with NHS partners to identify requirements for new facilities to meet the need arising from the borough’s growing population. It will support improvements to existing facilities and will also work with NHS partners to identify opportunities for facilities to come forward as part of mixeduse schemes, particularly where there is an identified need. The impact of developments on existing healthcare facilities should be considered through a Health Impact Assessment. Key supporting documents • The Mayor of London’s Social Infrastructure SPG (2015) DM16.2 The Council will work with NHS partners to support the provision of new healthcare facilities and improvements to existing facilities which provide services important for the physical health, mental health and general wellbeing of communities. How the policy works 6.166 Considering health and wellbeing as early as possible into the design of a development presents greater opportunities for maximising positive gains, addressing health inequalities and mitigating any negative impacts. For example, to ensure a positive impact on mental health, developments should consider exceeding internal space standards, provide private or semi-private open spaces, ensure a sense of privacy for residents but also provide opportunities for social interaction and should ensure access to natural daylight. 6.167 Developments can support physical activity, promote healthy weights and address health problems associated with obesity. This can be done by considering the layout and access to stairwells, ensuring the provision of accessible cycle storage in both homes and workplaces and providing changing facilities to encourage people to cycle to work. Developments should provide quality open spaces, particularly in areas identified as being deficient, for sport, recreation and play whilst improving links to existing spaces and sport facilities. The design of a development can also promote access to healthy food opportunities by providing food growing opportunities whilst protecting existing facilities.

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