Comment

Draft Greater Norwich Local Plan – Part 1 The Strategy

Representation ID: 21353

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Active Norfolk

Representation Summary:

The importance of health and wellbeing is significantly under-represented in the Spatial profile. The links between a built environment that promotes healthy lifestyle behaviours should be much more explicit and not just linked to specific sectors such as elderly tertiary care or crime.
Explicit links to Active Design principles throughout the spatial profile will help to articulate the importance of health in planning.

Full text:

Para 34: The para links the increasing proportion of older people to increased pressure on residential and care home settings, the emphasis should be emphasised on the broader Health system rather than just tertiary care. The increase pressure on Primary and Secondary care capacity will continue; therefore the importance of living in an environment that promotes and supports a healthy, active lifestyle is key to the prevention of physical and mental health factors that impact on health and wellbeing.

Para 39-41 do not appropriately represent Health and Wellbeing priorities but put a disproportionate emphasis on crime prevention. Suggested input:
make no mention of increased impact on health system of ageing population or link to HWB Priorities:
○ 1 - Single sustainable system - consideration of how a good quality built environment contributes to positive health and social care outcomes, can improve community development functions
○ 2- Prioritising prevention - an environment that promotes physical activity improves physical and mental health and wellbeing, reduces the risk of contracting many long term conditions and also manages their impact on lifestyle. Link to priority areas for prevention in HWB plan.
○ 3 - Tackling inequalities in communities - Parts of Norwich have significantly above average levels of deprivation, impacting on social mobility and resulting in low attainment. Better living conditions, improved accessibility to green infrastructure and community space contribute to improved connections and is an important factor in reducing inequalities
○ Integrating ways of working - increasing numbers of people living longer will increase demand. Linking the GNLP outcomes to Norfolk's Integrated Care System and Promoting Independent Programme is important to meet the increasing demand on Health and Social care services.

In order to reinforce the importance of integrated, sustainable transport, it is suggested that a hierarchy of sustainable transport image is inserted at para 66... 1. walking and wheeling, 2.Cycling, 3. Public transport, 4. Taxis and shared transport, 5. Private car.

There is no reference made to walking connectivity as a policy priority (Active Design principle). This should be included with reference to a priority to access green space and community assets by walking.

Para 101-102: improving the design of existing green spaces, particularly country parks and urban parks, is important to promote active uses and limit the impact of excessive use of sensitive ecological areas as the population increases.