Aspect 4 - Natural Environment

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Overview

There is a very significant and strong body of evidence linking contact and exposure to the natural environment with improved health and wellbeing. Planning for natural and sustainable environments is crucial for promoting health and wellbeing by ensuring access to green and blue spaces, clean air and water, climate change adaptation and opportunities for physical activity. Maximising the creation and access to these natural environments can positively impact both physical and mental wellbeing, reduce health inequalities, and contribute to a more sustainable future.  

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Determinant 4a - Environmental hazards: air, noise, light and odour pollution

Requirements

Environmental hazards such as air, noise, light and odour pollution negatively impact on health and wellbeing, local amenity and quality of life. They can cause a range of adverse effects including respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, sleep disturbance and stress. Developments can lead to an increase in emissions of and exposure to pollutants both during construction and through operation of completed schemes. Necessary avoidance and mitigation measures are required to ensure environmental hazards and human exposure are minimised.

Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects

Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable.

General

  • Pollution generators and impacts: Pollution arising from construction, traffic and commercial activities can lead to land contamination, deterioration in air quality, noise nuisance, dust, vibration and unpleasant odours. These environmental factors can contribute to a decline in overall health and quality of life, especially in urban areas.

Air Quality

  • Greatest environmental risk: Air pollution is currently the greatest environmental risk to public health in the UK. Its effects are far-reaching and affect multiple aspects of physical and mental health. Outdoor air pollution is concentrated in particular geographical areas for example largely in urban areas and close to busy roads. In East Sussex the risk from outdoor air pollution varies from very significant, in urban centres, to negligible in rural areas. (Sussex Air Quality Partnership, 2024)
  • Indoor air pollution: Most exposure to air pollution occurs indoors. Individuals spend a substantial part of their lives indoors therefore the environment of indoor spaces, especially the quality of the air holds great importance.  The design and level of ventilation of buildings have a large impact on people’s exposure. (ESCC, 2024)
  • Key health impacts: Air pollution influences many different aspects of health, including respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, perinatal health as well as emerging evidence of mental health, cognitive function and dementia. (Department of Health and Social Care, 2022)
  • Short and long-term exposure: Strong evidence supports that both short-term and long-term exposure to pollutants increase the risk of illness and death related to respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
  • Vulnerable populations groups:
    • Children - are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollutants due to being shorter in height and therefore exposed to higher concentrations of pollutions.  Exposure can affect lung development, lead to reduced lung function, development and exacerbations of asthma.  (ESCC, 2024)
    • Older people - are susceptible to the respiratory effects of air pollution, with studies showing reduced lung function, development of respiratory illness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory tract infections and increased hospital admissions. (ESCC, 2024)

Noise

  • Key health impacts: Noise exposure can cause annoyance and sleep disturbance impacting on quality of life. It can give rise to adverse health effects such cardiovascular problems due to increased levels of stress and high blood pressure, and psychological effects including depression and anxiety.  (DEFRA, 2010), (WHO, 2018)

The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do

Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.

General

  • Land use: Allocate and use land in ways that minimise emissions and reduce public exposure to air, noise, light and odour pollution.
  • Construction management: Require and use construction management plans to reduce pollution levels during construction. This should include hours of operation, movement of construction traffic and measures to reduce dust, noise, light and odour pollution.
  • Operational mitigation: For industrial and commercial developments ensure long term strategies to manage emissions and pollution levels during operation are in place.
  • Buffer Zones: Create appropriate and evidenced buffer zones, areas of land that provide a protective separation and safe distance between pollution sources such as roads and industrial/commercial uses and sensitive land uses such as housing, education, health facilities, public green, blue and community spaces.

Air Quality

  • Sustainable transport alternatives: Maximise provision, improvements and links to public transport networks and to walking, wheeling and cycling routes. Encouraging use of sustainable means of transport and reducing car use, lowering traffic congestion, carbon emissions and exposure to pollutants.
  • Travel planning: Implement travel plans for both the construction phase and for the future community including incentives for public transport and cycling to lead to improved local environmental conditions, by reducing traffic and potential congestion.
  • Indoor air quality: Design buildings with adequate ventilation to reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants and balancing indoor air quality with keeping buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

Noise

  • Land use: Separate conflicting land uses to avoid placing noise generating developments such as industrial and nightlife venues near to residential properties and community and recreational spaces.
  • Building design and orientation: Orient buildings to reduce noise impact on residents and incorporate sound insulation and landscape buffers where needed.
  • Control of development noise: Ensure that noise generated from new developments does not negatively impact surrounding areas, particularly during sensitive times such as night hours.

Local data and evidence

Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile:  East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile

  • Air pollution: Fraction of mortality attributable to particulate air pollution Persons - 30+ yrs
  • Noise: The percentage of the population exposed to road, rail and air transport noise of 55 dB(A) or more during the night-time, the percentage of the population exposed to road, rail and air transport noise of 65dB(A) or more, during the daytime, the rate of complaints about noise 
  • Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)

Data available on external websites: AQMAs interactive map | defra.gov – Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) includes the following polices:  

Policy P1: Planning for clean and safe places – To support efforts to minimise levels of pollution and create clean, liveable and safe places for people to live, work and visit development plans should:

  • Allocate land considering the opportunities for improving conditions and where proposals will not cause unacceptable levels of pollution, pollution sources, considering communities which may be particularly vulnerable to its effects, and the intended use will not restrict existing businesses, community facilities, public services.
  • Consider opportunities to reduce educe air, water, soil, noise or other forms of pollution, and contribute to compliance with national and local environmental targets.
  • Identify whether restrictions on certain types or forms of development are necessary.

Policy P3: Living conditions and pollution – Requires development proposals to:

  • Be appropriate for their location considering the likely effects of pollution on health, living conditions and the natural environment. Assessments should consider the sensitivity of the site, its intended occupiers and users and the environment and population in the surround area, including where certain groups could be particularly vulnerable to its effects, such as children and older people.
  • Provide healthy living conditions for occupiers and users: adequate access to light and avoiding exposure to levels of air, noise, artificial light or other sources of pollution which could have an unacceptable adverse effect on health and the quality of life.
  • Avoid or mitigated to an acceptable degree unacceptable level of access to daylight and sunlight for neighbouring residents and occupiers, or unacceptable levels of air, noise, artificial light, water, soil or other forms of pollution on or beyond the site.
  • Contribute to compliance with national air quality objectives and targets, including those relating to PM2.5.
  • Take account of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and be consistent with relevant Air Quality Action Plans, Clean Air Plans and Local Air Quality Strategies.

Policy P4: Impact of development on existing activities – Requires developments to integrate effecting with existing business, community and public service activities and infrastructure in their vicinity and not unreasonably restrict current or permitted operation because of development proposals after they were established.

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance raises the issues and impacts that pollutants can have on health and wellbeing. It provides examples and guidance on how emissions and exposure can be minimised.

Examples, best practice and or case studies

Examples coming shortly

Links with other determinants

There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant. 

  • 1a. Quality Provision of Local Services and Facilities – Measures to reduce air and noise pollution, and consideration of land use options which avoid conflicts with pollution generating uses, supports the provision of quality local services.
  • 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites - Measures to reduce pollution within workspaces, and consideration of land use options which avoid conflicts with sensitive land uses, supports the provision of quality local employment sites.
  • 3a. Housing Quality – Measures to reduce both indoor and outdoor air and noise pollution contribute to creating quality housing.
  • 5c. Active Travel – Reducing pollution, improving environmental quality and considering land use options which avoid conflicts with pollution generating uses will encourage more active travel, this in turn will reduce car use further improving air and noise quality.
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Determinant 4b - Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue Spaces

Requirements

Green and blue spaces such as parks, woodlands, fields, the sea, lakes and rivers and as well as natural elements including green walls, roofs and vegetation are increasingly being recognised and required as important assets for supporting health and wellbeing. Evidence shows that living in greener environments promotes and protects good health, aids in illness recovery and helps manage poor health. Good quality accessible green and blue spaces provide opportunities for recreation, relaxation and connection with nature contributing to overall physical health and mental wellbeing.

Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects

Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable.

  • Four broad ways green and blue spaces provide benefits (PHE, 2020):
    • Promoting healthy behaviours – encouraging sport, physical activity and active travel (walking and cycling).
    • Improving social contacts - giving people a sense of familiarity, belonging and connection with nature.
    • Supporting the development of skills and capabilities – improving concentration and cognitive function.
    • Mediating potential harm – reducing exposure to air pollution and urban heat.
  • Physical health impacts: Living in greener environments can promote and protect good physical health, aid in recovery from illness and support managing chronic or poor health.
  • Mental health outcomes: Mental health benefits include reducing levels of depression, anxiety and fatigue, lowering feelings of stress and anger, reducing loneliness, improving confidence, self-esteem and enhancing quality of life for all ages. (Mental Health Foundation, 2021)
  • Physical activity: Providing secure, attractive, and convenient green and blue spaces encourages more physical activity. Increased physical activity helps reduce risks of: 
    • Heart disease
    • Strokes
    • Other health issues linked to sedentary lifestyles and stress.
  • Impacts on children: Early life physical activity patterns strongly influence adult behaviours. Many children today lack regular exercise contributing to rising levels of overweight and obesity. Access to green and blue spaces provide opportunities for children to be active and undertake both formal and informal play activities. (Natural England, 2024)
  • Quality and use of green spaces: There is a strong link between quality of green and blue spaces and its use for sport, physical activity, socialising, and relaxation.
  • Inequalities in access: Improved access to high quality green and blue spaces, both within urban and rural areas, benefits everyone’s health, with the greatest gains experienced by disadvantaged communities. (PHE, 2020) Limited access to these spaces remains a significant barrier for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups and other vulnerable populations, restricting their opportunities to improve health and wellbeing.
  • Natural elements: Features such as trees and green walls and roofs offer significant environmental and health and wellbeing benefits. Trees provide shade, help regulate temperatures and contribute to improved air quality by absorbing pollutants and producing oxygen. Similarly, green walls and roofs offer multiple benefits; insulation for buildings, reducing energy consumption, reducing the urban heat island effect by cooling surrounding areas, and filtering air pollutants. Natural elements also provide aesthetic and psychological benefits, contributing to a sense of wellbeing. (Natural England)
  • Airborne allergens: Green spaces can introduce airborne allergens like pollen that have health implications for those with respiratory conditions. It is therefore important to select vegetation which minimises the pollen load. For example, birch trees are one of the main causes of seasonal allergies. Birch pollen can increase allergic sensitisation with 25% of hay fever sufferers affected by it. (See Airborne allergens and green infrastructure)

The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do

Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.

Access

  • Direct accessible routes: Create direct walking, wheeling and cycling accessible routes that connect people easily to existing and new green and blue spaces.
  • Interlinked green and blue infrastructure: Connect onsite and adjacent green and blue spaces for a coherent network that supports biodiversity and public use. Enhance links through and around sites to connect green and blue spaces seamlessly, including connecting to and improving the existing Public Rights of Way network.
  • Inclusive access in areas of deficiency: Increase access to and develop useable, safe, and well-maintained green and blue spaces in neighbourhoods lacking access. Particularly focusing on deprived areas and access by vulnerable groups.

Quality Provision

  • Creation and improvement: Create and improve green and blue spaces to provide high quality areas which feel safe, are welcoming, accessible for all, and encourage use. 
  • Protection:  Safeguard community green and blue spaces to ensure continued opportunities for physical activity and relaxation.
  • Opportunities for physical activity: Create spaces that encourage active use and connection to nature.
  • Supporting features: Include amenities like seating, lighting, water fountains, and public toilets to support longer and more comfortable visits.
  • Tree cover: Provide appropriate tree cover in new or enhanced green spaces for environmental and wellbeing benefits including providing shade and shelter. 
  • Reduce pollen: Select vegetation and trees which minimise pollen load. Avoid birch trees in public spaces.
  • Natural elements: Incorporate natural elements into designs such as green walls and roofs and planting. 
  • Safety: Ensure spaces are safe for women and girls, addressing concerns around lighting, visibility, and design. (For more information Safer Parks for Women and Girls Guidance )
  • Integration with other uses: Combine green spaces with other outdoor activities, such as recreation, play, and food growing initiatives.

Local data and evidence

Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile

  • Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
  • Weight: Prevalence of overweight (including obesity): Reception, Year 6 and Adults
  • Food: Adults meeting the ‘5-a-day’ fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations
  • Mobility: Emergency hospital admissions due to falls in people
  • Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)
  • Loneliness:  Percentage of adults who feel lonely always, often or some of the time

Data available on external websites:

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) includes the following polices:  

Policy HC1: Planning for healthy communities – Requires plan-making to:

  • Assess whether any land is suitable for designation as Local Green Space.
  • Set local standards for the provision of different types of recreational land and facilities, including informal recreation. Drawing upon relevant national standards, best practice and tailoring to local circumstances and evidence.
  • Secure connected network of high quality, inclusive and accessible opportunities for play and informal recreation as part of a wider network of green space provision.

Policy HC2: Local Green Space – ‘Local and neighbourhood plans may designate land as Local Green Space where this would safeguard green areas of particular value to the local community. Local Green Space should be limited to situations where the land concerned is:

  • In close proximity to the community it serves;
  • Demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife; and
  • Local in character and not an extensive tract of land.’

Policy N1: Identifying environmental opportunities and safeguards - Development plans should safeguard and enhance the natural environment and reflect the wider benefits by:

  • ‘d. Set out standards for green infrastructure provision, in a way which complements and/or incorporates those for recreational land (as set out in policy HC1). These should draw upon Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Standards for England, tailored as necessary to local circumstances.’

Policy N2: Improving the natural environment – To contribute positively to the natural environment development proposal should use green infrastructure to secure multiple benefits including recreation.

Policy N3: Trees in new development – 1a. In recognition of the benefits which trees can provide development proposals should ‘Make new streets tree lined (unless there are strong reasons why this would be inappropriate in specific streets), and incorporate trees in other suitable locations, such as in parks and through the provision of community orchards.’

Policy N4: Protected Landscapes – Major development proposals within Protected Landscapes should be refused other than in exceptional circumstances and where it is in the public interest. To inform a decision consideration should include an assessment of any detrimental effect on recreational opportunities and the extent to which it could be moderated.

Policy DP3: Key principles for well-designed places – ‘To create well-designed places, development proposals should reflect the following principles, as appropriate to the nature of the development and its location:

  • 2c. Nature: incorporate and/or connect to a network of high quality, accessible, multi functional green infrastructure to provide opportunities for recreation and healthy living, …. This should include maintaining and enhancing tree cover.’

Policy TR8: Public rights of way – ‘1. Development proposals should:

  • a. Protect and enhance the network of public rights of way, including through suitable diversions agreed with the highway authority; and
  • b. Take opportunities to extend, link or improve the quality of existing routes where this enables one or more of the following: i. Improved access to green spaces and the countryside.’

Definition of Green Infrastructure: 'A network of multi-functional green and blue spaces and other natural features, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits for nature, climate, local and wider communities and prosperity. It includes parks and gardens, green spaces, green corridors such as rivers and canals, sustainable drainage systems, features for species, street trees and community orchards.'

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance stresses the benefits of green and blue spaces for health and wellbeing and the importance of improving access and creating multi-functional spaces for people and the environment.

Examples, best practice and or case studies

Horsted Green Park, Uckfield

  • Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG) delivered alongside growth at Ridgewood, West of Uckfield to provide accessible recreational space. It includes direct links from the nearby housing, a surfaced walking route and natural features such as ponds and orchards.
  • Status: Completed
  • Website: Uckfield Urban Extension

Links with other determinants

There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant. 

  • 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites – Access to quality green and blue spaces close to employment sites supports quality provision and employee’s health and wellbeing.
  • 1c. Inclusive Design – Fully accessible and quality provision of green and blue spaces includes inclusive design measures which enable all to benefit from nature.
  • 1d. Safety and Security – Quality provision includes measures to provide safe and secure spaces particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and girls.
  • 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction - Access and quality provision of green and blue spaces provides opportunities for interaction and supports social cohesion.
  • 3b. Food Growing - Quality provision of green spaces provides opportunities for incorporation of food growing.
  • 4c. Outdoor Play and Recreation - Quality provision of green spaces provides opportunities for informal and formal play and recreation.
  • 4d. Climate Change Adaption – Green and blue spaces support climate change adaptation by regulating temperatures, providing shade and managing flood risk.
  • 5. Transport: Local Connectivity, Mobility and Accessibility, Active Travel - Quality green spaces provide opportunities for increasing walking, wheeling and cycling, improving local connectivity and increasing mobility and accessibility.
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Determinant 4c - Outdoor Play and Recreation

Requirements

Outdoor play and recreation offer many benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. These activities encourage physical activity, reduce stress, improve mood and enhance cognitive development. To maximise these health and wellbeing benefits it is required and important that places provide a variety of outdoor play and recreation opportunities both informal and formal that are accessible and cater for all ages, abilities and genders.

Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects

Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable.

  • Physical activity: Access to formal or informal play spaces and outdoor recreational facilities such as sports pitches, play parks or outdoor gym equipment encourages people to be active regularly. Regular physical activity is essential in preventing long term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and dementia. Increased physical activity also helps to maintain a healthy weight and build lifelong healthy habits. (Public Health England, 2020)
  • Mental health benefits: Play and recreational activities reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression by providing opportunities for relaxation and fun. It enhances mood and emotional wellbeing through exposure to natural light and outdoor environments. It encourages creative play and imagination boosting cognitive development. It helps to build a sense of community, belonging and social confidence. (Public Health England, 2020)
  • Child development and wellbeing: Access to places to play is critical for all children and young people, supporting the development of:
    • Physical coordination, motor skills and physical fitness.
    • Social interaction, teamwork and communication skills through group play.
    • Emotional resilience and self-confidence (Play England, 2008)
  • Active lifestyles: Access to playgrounds, recreational and sports facilities is strongly associated with increased walking and active travel, particularly among young people and greater participation in informal and organised physical activities. Increasing and establishing healthy lifestyles. (NICE, 2009)
  • Equity: Having access to safe, inclusive and accessible play and recreational opportunities, especially in deprived communities, helps to reduce health inequalities by providing equal access to physical activity opportunities. Well designed and maintained facilities service as community assets that foster greater social inclusion and wellbeing for the whole community. (Fields in Trust, 2024)

The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do

Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.

  • Design for play and recreation: Provide both formal and informal outdoor play spaces that are appropriate for all age groups.
  • Protection and enhancement: Protect and enhance existing play, recreation, and outdoor sports facilities.
  • Informal play spaces: Integrate small incidental play features throughout developments to encourage spontaneous play. Incorporate landscaping features with the capacity to support informal and imaginative play. Consider opportunities for ‘play along the way’.
  • Inclusivity and accessibility: Ensure play and recreation facilities are accessible and designed to meet the needs of all ages, genders, and abilities. Involve communities particularly children, young people and girls in the design process to ensure spaces meet all needs.
  • Women and girls: Ensure the design of play and recreation spaces considers the needs of women and girls: 
    • Provide seating that allows for social interaction (e.g. girls facing each other)
    • Break down spaces into smaller areas so that no one group can dominate.
    • Arrange outdoor gyms with equipment in social groups not just in isolated stations.
    • Avoid male weighted gym equipment, provide a balanced range of options. (for more information see Make Space for Girls Resource Library)
  • Supporting infrastructure: Provide essential supporting amenities such as seating, shaded areas, drinking fountains, public toilets, cycle parking, and clear signage.
  • Design for safety and passive surveillance: Position surrounding development to overlook facilities and informal outdoor play spaces, enhancing natural surveillance and encouraging shared community use. Avoid dead-end paths and instead design walking loops that feel safe and welcoming, particularly for women and girls. (for more information see Make Space for Girls Resource Library)
  • Sustainable provision and long-term use: Plan for the ongoing maintenance of play and recreational facilities to ensure they remain safe and usable.

Local data and evidence

Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile

  • Weight: Prevalence of overweight (including obesity): Reception, Year 6 and Adults
  • Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
  • Mobility: Emergency hospital admissions due to falls in people
  • Loneliness:  Percentage of adults who feel lonely always, often or some of the time
  • Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)

Data available on external websites: 

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) includes the following polices:  

Policy HC1: Planning for healthy communities – To promote the creation of healthy and inclusive places and the provision, retention and enhancement of appropriate community facilities the policy requires plan-making at the most appropriate level to:

  • ‘d. Set local standards for the provision of different types of recreational land and facilities, including for play, sport, informal recreation and allotments. In doing so plans should draw upon relevant national standards and best practice, tailoring these as necessary to local circumstances and evidence.
  • Policies for play and informal recreation should aim to secure a connected network of high quality, inclusive and accessible opportunities as part of the wider network of green space provision, secured through both on-site provision in conjunction with land allocated for development and through other contributions and investment.’

Policy HC4: Proposals for new and improved facilities, public service infrastructure and development and development providing public health benefits – ‘1. Substantial weight should be given to the benefits where:

  • a. New or improved public service infrastructure or community facilities would be provided; and
  • b. Development proposals would make a demonstrable contribution towards promoting good health, preventing ill-health, reducing health inequalities or supporting social interaction in the local community (such as…the provision of new recreation facilities…)’
  • ‘2. Where appropriate local communities should be engaged in the design of proposals, including children and families where new or improved facilities for play are involved so that developments are inclusive and reflect user needs.’

Policy HC7: Development affecting existing recreational land and facilities – Any development resulting in the loss of sports and recreational buildings and land including playing fields needs to demonstrate that it is surplus to requirements or would be replaced by equivalent or better provision, in a location with equal or better access for the community it serves, or community benefits out weight the loss of the current or former use.

Policy DP3: Key principles for well-designed places – ‘To create well-designed places, development proposals should reflect the following principles as appropriate to the nature of the development and its location:

  • 2f. Public Space: include spaces that are safe, secure, inclusive, and accessible for all ages and abilities, including for groups such as women and girls; and which facilitate and encourage social interaction, play and healthy lifestyles (for example by providing … a variety of recreational spaces and places to meet)’

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance emphasises the importance of sport, recreation and play for both physical health, mental wellbeing and child development. Recommending a range of spaces and facilities to encourage activities both formal and informal, which are safe and accessible to all.

Examples, best practice and or case studies

Centenary Park (the Big Park), Peacehaven

  • An 11-acre community park offering a wide range of facilities, including playgrounds for different age groups, a skatepark, sports pitches and cycle routes.
  • Status: completed
  • Website: Centenary Park (The Big Park)

Links with other determinants

There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant. 

  • 1c. Inclusive Design – Quality outdoor play and recreation facilities provides varied opportunities for all ages and abilities to enjoy and benefit from physical activity.
  • 1d. Safety and Security - Quality provision includes measures to provide safe and secure facilities particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, women and girls.
  • 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction - Quality outdoor play and recreation facilities provides opportunities for interaction, increases social cohesion and reduces loneliness.
  • 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Green and Blue Spaces - Outdoor play and recreation facilities provides opportunities for and incorporation of access to green and blue spaces.
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Determinant 4d - Climate Change Adaptation: Flood Risk and Extreme Temperatures

Requirements

Climate change adaptation is becoming increasingly urgent as extreme weather events such as floods and extreme temperatures are becoming more frequent and intense. These changes have direct and indirect impacts on health and wellbeing. Planning is required to play a key part in building climate resilient communities and places which have considered and adapted to manage the effects of climate change.

Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects

Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable. (UK Health Security Agency, 2023)

Extreme temperatures

  • Related illnesses: Extreme hot and cold temperatures increase the risk of potentially fatal illnesses including heat stroke, hypothermia, dehydration, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
  • Mortality and hospital admissions: Heatwaves lead to increased mortality and emergency hospital admissions, especially among vulnerable groups such as older people. Excess summer hospital admissions during heatwaves are often greater than those recorded during winter cold spells.
  • Mental health consequences: Sleep disruption, physical discomfort, and persistent exposure to heat can worsen anxiety, depression, and irritability.
  • Wider environmental and health hazards: Heatwaves can contribute to increased pollution levels, exacerbating respiratory problems. Prolonged heat and drought heighten the risk of wildfires, which pose acute health risks through smoke inhalation, especially for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the stress associated with wildfire evacuations can have significant mental health impacts.
  • Vector borne diseases: Rising temperatures increase the risk of invasive mosquito species, such as Aedes albopictus, becoming established, which can lead to the spread of the diseases they transmit.
  • Vulnerability in East Sussex: East Sussex has an older population, making residents disproportionately vulnerable to both extreme heat and cold. The county lies in the warmest part of the UK, making heat-related impacts more likely in the coming years including vector borne diseases. (ESCC, 2024)
  • Built environment: Poor building design, particularly inadequate insulation, can lead to overheating in summer and excessive heat loss in winter. This increases energy consumption and costs contributing to fuel poverty and associated health risks in both seasons.  Public spaces that are not adapted to withstand extreme temperatures become less usability, negatively affecting connectivity, physical activity, social interaction and mental wellbeing. (TCPA, RTPI, 2023)
  • Adaptation benefits: Taking advantage of increases in sunlight, through tree planting and the creation of accessible green and blue spaces, including green walls and roofs can enhance physical and mental wellbeing. These natural interventions help mitigate heat, improve air quality and provide pleasant environments for recreation and relaxation contributing towards physical and mental wellbeing. (TCPA, RTPI, 2023)

Flooding

  • Physical health: Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding. These events can lead to higher mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable groups such as older people. Post-flood housing conditions, especially dampness and mould, adversely affect physical health. 
  • Mental health: Flooding causes significant mental health challenges across all affected populations, as damage to homes and businesses disrupts livelihoods and stability. Many individuals who endure ongoing flood-related damage to their homes experience poor mental health. (Public Health England, 2020)

The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do

Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.

Extreme temperatures

  • Cooling:  Design buildings that can be cooled easily during heat waves through consideration of orientation, shading, internal layout, solar reflection, fenestration, insulation, ventilation and use of features such as green roofs and walls. Design community and public facilities with thermal comfort in mind, including as a cool respite space for the community during heatwaves.
  • Shade: Create and maintain spaces and facilities that accommodate higher temperatures maximising the usability by providing shade for example through street trees, canopies awnings and overhangs.
  • Supporting infrastructure: Provide infrastructure in public spaces such as benches in shaded areas and water fountains to help enable people to use spaces in hot temperatures.
  • Green infrastructure: Maximise green infrastructure provision including trees and green walls and roofs to deliver health, wellbeing and environmental benefits.
  • Wildfires: Include appropriate buffer zones between residential or community uses and areas which may be at risk of wildfires.
  • Vector habitats: Consider how to reduce disease vector habitats. Water storage solutions should minimise habitat creation for disease vectors, such as Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. 

Flooding

  • Location of developments: Locate developments away from flood risk areas.
  • Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems: Incorporate features such as permeable surfaces and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to manage surface, flood risk and significant changes in rainfall. Use ‘green’ SUDS and natural flood resilience wherever possible such as constructed wetlands, retention ponds, green roofs and swales.
  • Resistant homes and buildings: Incorporate in homes and buildings resilience measures to mitigate the impact of flooding such as flood barriers, raised utilities and water-resistant materials.
  • Resistant green spaces: Create water efficient gardens and green spaces with drought tolerant species. Consider storm, drought and flood resistant planting.

Local data and evidence

Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile

  • Winter mortality: Excess Winter Deaths Index
  • Fuel Poverty: Percentage of households in fuel poverty
  • Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)
  • Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) includes the following polices:  

Policy CC1: Planning for Climate Change – ‘Development plans should take a proactive approach to adapting to climate change, taking into account the implications of extreme weather and long-term climate trends including overheating, wildfires, drought, flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity and landscapes.’

Policy CC3: Adaptation to climate change – To minimise vulnerability to climate change impacts proposals where relevant should:

  • Be located where the risk of flooding is minimised or can be managed.
  • Demonstrate suitability in areas vulnerable to coastal change.
  • Incorporate sustainable drainage systems.
  • Use design approaches which minimise risks from overheating include green infrastructure and suitable tree planting.
  • Incorporate proportionate measures to mitigate against wildfires, where opportunities to do so exist and wildfires pose a particular risk. 

‘2. Substantial weight should be given to the benefits of improving the resilience of existing buildings and public spaces to anticipated climate change impacts where this would be achieved through proposals for development.’

Policy DP3: Key principles for well-designed places – ‘2. To create well-designed places, development proposals should also reflect relevant aspects of the following principles, as appropriate to the nature of the development and its location:

  • b. Climate: contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and the transition to net zero by using building layouts, building orientation, massing, landscaping and materials which conserve energy and other resources, and which minimise risks from the impacts of climate change including overheating.
  • c. Nature: incorporate and/or connect to a network of high quality, accessible, multi functional green infrastructure to provide opportunities for recreation and healthy living, strengthen habitats, improve climate change resilience and improve air and water quality. This should include maintaining and enhancing tree cover and incorporating sustainable drainage systems.’

Policy N3: Trees in new development - ‘1. In recognition of the benefits which trees can provide for … climate change mitigation and adaptation …development proposals should:

  • a. Make new streets tree-lined (unless there are strong reasons why this would be inappropriate in specific streets), and incorporate trees in other suitable locations, such as in parks and through the provision of community orchards.’

Policies in Chapter 18. Managing flood risk and coastal change - Aim to minimise risks to development arising from all sources of flooding and coastal change taking into account the impacts of climate change.

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance highlights the impacts climate change has on health both from extreme temperatures and from high rainfalls. It outlines measures required within the built and natural environment to adapt to these extreme conditions.

Examples, best practice and or case studies

Examples coming shortly

Links with other determinants

There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant. 

  • 2a. Quality Housing – Housing designed to adapt to higher temperatures and increased flood risks contributes to the provision of quality housing.
  • 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Green and Blue spaces – Incorporation of natural elements such as trees, green walls and roofs and SUDs to mitigate heat, improve air quality and reduce the effects of flooding provides opportunities for people to engage with and benefit from nature.  
  • 5c. Active Travel – Climate change adaptation measures such as shading and reducing the risk of flooding enables use of active travel routes all year.
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