Planning policies should actively support the strategic plans of local health commissioners, and new health facilities to meet the needs of the population should be supported.

There is a well-established connection between planning and health. Planning policies can not only facilitate improvements to health infrastructure, but also provide a mechanism to improve people’s health. We request that the Local Plan includes policies for health and wellbeing which reflect the wider determinants of health and promote healthy and green lifestyle choices through well designed places.

It is essential that all planning policies enable flexibility within the NHS estate. Where it can be demonstrated that health facilities will be changed as part of wider NHS estate reorganisation programmes, it should be accepted that a facility is neither needed nor viable for its current use and Planning policies within the Local Plan must support the principle of alternative uses for NHS land and property. This will ensure that there is not a delay to vital reinvestment in facilities and services for the community.