Aspect 1 - Neighbourhood design

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Overview

Local Neighbourhoods provide spaces and places where people live, work and play. A well-designed neighbourhood provides opportunities for people to enjoy positive health and wellbeing outcomes such as healthy behaviours and lifestyles. Healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods provide a holistic approach to creating nurturing environments. They include the capacity to deliver cohesive, inclusive and safe communities which provide a sense of identity and belonging. They provide quality provision of local services, facilities and local employment. Healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods create spaces and places for people of all ages to live, thrive and prosper.

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Determinant 1a - Quality Provision of Local Services and Facilities

Requirements

Healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods require a range and variety of local services and facilities. These include the provision of shops, education, health, sports and leisure, recreational, cultural and community facilities. These should meet the varied necessities of the community, support everyday needs, the local economy and encourage healthy lifestyle and behaviours. Services and facilities need to be conveniently located, well designed and of good quality.

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.

  • Supporting everyday life and convenience: Neighbourhoods designed with a convenient range and variety of local services supports everyday life and encourages sustainable lifestyles by improving convenience. It particularly supports those without access to a car such as older people, children and low-income households.  (Design codes for health and wellbeing, 2025)
  • Active lifestyles: When key services and facilities are within walking, wheeling and cycling distances of homes, workplaces and other services, physical activity increases which enables positive physical and mental health outcomes. Reducing unnecessary long-distance and motorised travel has the potential to lower stress levels along with carbon emissions and poor air quality.   (Sports England, 2023)
  • Air, noise and light pollution: Having local services within walking distance reduces reliance on motorised vehicles which cuts down air, noise and light pollution. This helps alleviates respiratory problems and stress related health issues while contributing towards tackling climate change.
  • Economy and employment: Providing local neighbourhoods where people can work locally and meet their everyday needs supports and boosts local economies. Opportunities for local employment also reduces the need for travel, helps to support buying local which in turn fosters social connections and social cohesion.  (TCPA, 2021)
  • Vibrant places with strong communities: The provision of mixed-use developments (which integrate residential, commercial, retail and leisure) and places with high quality local services and facilities, including local shops providing essential goods, create places people want to use. This leads to active and vibrant places with cohesive communities where people can thrive. (National Design Guide, 2021) 
  • Inclusion and interaction: For people with mobility challenges, including older people, local services and facilities provide essential items and vital opportunities for social interaction which reduces loneliness and depression. (RTPI, 2020)
  • Supporting mental health: Quality community facilities and hubs offer social support and resources creating opportunities for social interaction and community participation fostering a sense of belonging and reducing loneliness. Community facilities can include local shops, meeting places, cultural buildings, public houses, places of worship and sport venues. (Importance outlined in Where People Meet).
  • Education and training: Local access to a range of education and training opportunities shapes long-term health and wellbeing by improving self-esteem, job prospects, income and social status.
  • Health facilities: Local good quality health and social care facilities have a direct positive effect on overall health and wellbeing. ‘Place‑based’ care organises services around a specific area, recognising that location plays a key role in health. It brings together NHS, social care and community organisations to address local needs and the wider determinants of health, ensuring services are integrated and delivered closer to home. This approach also facilitates ‘community‑led care’, making local people’s voices central to how services are designed and delivered. (For more information see What Is Neighbourhood Health? | The King's Fund)

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.

  • Create complete and compact neighbourhoods: Design areas where there are a mix of land uses and provision of key services so that people can meet their everyday needs locally.
  • Reduce car dependence: Locate land uses strategically to reduce the need to travel especially by car.
  • Create walkable neighbourhoods: Create places where there are a range of services and facilities within 10 minutes (up to about 800m) comfortable walking distance of residential areas.
  • Locate housing close to services and facilities: Situate housing close to existing every day essential services or provide new services such as local shops within development proposals. 
  • Protect and enhance community facilities: Retain, improve and expand community facilities this includes community halls, local shops, meeting places, public toilets, cultural buildings, public houses, places of worship and sport venues.
  • Provide local social infrastructure to support housing: Ensure there is adequate, well located, accessible and well-designed social infrastructure to support housing developments in a timely manner, this includes health facilities (GP surgeries, clinics, dentists, pharmacies) and education (schools, colleges and childcare).   
  • Co-locate services: Group related services together to improve the effectiveness and efficiency, for example primary health and social care, dentistry and pharmacies. Similarly cluster community facilities and social infrastructure like libraries, leisure centres, healthcare and community centres.
  • Prevent harmful impacts effects on health: Avoid developments which have potential for negative impacts on physical and mental health and wellbeing. This includes risks of alcohol related harm. Consider restricting certain uses in areas of high deprivation, where it would lead to an over-concentration of similar uses, and in proximity to vulnerable groups. This includes specific sui generis uses, for example, adult gaming centres, betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, pay day loan shops, hot food takeaways and drinking establishments.

Local data and evidence

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

  • Poverty: Children living in low-income families, Percentage of households in fuel poverty, number of people on Universal Credit, Percentage of working-age people (aged 16-64) claiming out-of-work benefits
  • Qualifications: percentage of people age 16+ with different qualifications
  • Disability: Disabled under the Equality Act
  • Deprivation: Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2025
  • 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

Data available on external websites: Indices of Deprivation 2025 Explorer | gov.uk

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:   

  • Paragraph 96 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:
  • a) promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other – for example through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood centres.’
  • Paragraph 98 – ‘To provide the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should:
  • a) plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments;
  • c) guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs;
  • d) ensure that established shops, facilities and services are able to develop and modernise, and are retained for the benefit of the community; and
  • e) ensure an integrated approach to considering the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services.’
  • Paragraph 83 – ‘Planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services. Where there are groups of smaller settlements, development in one village may support services in a village nearby.’
  • Paragraph 88 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should enable:
  • d) the retention and development of accessible local services and community facilities, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship.’
  • Paragraph 111 – ‘Planning policies should:
  •  a) support an appropriate mix of uses across an area, and within larger scale sites, to minimise the number and length of journeys needed for employment, shopping, leisure, education and other activities.’

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance highlights that successful and well-designed places include a mix of local facilities and services which support everyday needs and encourage healthy behaviours.  

Examples, best practice and or case studies

Newhaven Square Health and Wellbeing Hub

  • Redevelopment and extension of buildings in Newhaven town centre to include a new Health and Wellbeing hub, with two GP practices, a pharmacy, improved facilities for Wave Active and a new creative/co working hub.
  • Status: Under construction due to be completed later in 2026.

Website: Newhaven Square Health and Wellbeing Hub - Lewes and Eastbourne Councils

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 – Local facilities and services provide local employment opportunities.
  • 1c. Inclusive Design –Local facilities provide access to local essential services and items.  
  • 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Community facilities support and encourage interaction.
  • 1f. Art, Culture and Heritage: Attractive and Distinctive Places – Mix use areas with quality services create vibrant places.
  • 3a. Access to Healthy food: Variety of local shops provide opportunities to access healthy food.
  • 4a. Environmental Hazards – Local services reduce car travel reducing air and noise pollution.
  • 5. Transport: Local Connectivity, Mobility and Accessibility, Active Travel – Facilities located within walkable distances encourage walking, wheeling and cycling and enable good local connectivity and accessibility.   
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Determinant 1b - Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites

Requirements:

The provision and variety of quality local employment sites is required to provide opportunities for local communities to find work and achieve stable incomes. Access to employment provides financial stability as well as a sense of purpose and wellbeing. A healthy workplace requires an environment which promotes physical, mental and social wellbeing to ensure a sustainable and thriving work environment.

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. (East Sussex DPH Annual Report, 2022)

  • Overall benefits: The presence of good quality local work opportunities profoundly affects physical and mental wellbeing. Good quality and safe work provides an income, opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, an occupation, and social interaction.
  • Stable income: Access to well-paid and secure work supports access to a better standard of living, housing and provides a healthier lifestyle.
  • Unemployment: Unemployment is strongly associated with poverty, mental illness, loneliness and a reduction in personal and social esteem.
  • Supports recovery and resilience: Employment provides routine, purpose, and social interaction, all of which are vital for recovery from physical and mental health challenges and maintaining good health.
  • Mental health: Employment enhances self-esteem, identity, and a sense of control, helping to protect against mental ill health. Good-quality work helps to prevent social isolation, loneliness and marginalisation, especially for vulnerable groups.
  • Inaccessible employment sites: Employment sites which are inaccessible, especially those requiring car travel, excludes lower income and vulnerable population groups.  This can prevent disadvantaged populations, especially women, black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and those in deprived neighbourhoods, from accessing employment opportunities, further entrenching inequality.
  • Workplace environment: The quality of the physical work environment directly influences health, wellbeing and productivity. Safe and healthy working environments are more likely to minimise tension and conflicts at work and improve staff retention and work performance. Poor indoor air quality, limited natural light and lack of access to outdoor and green space contribute to fatigue, stress, mental health problems and respiratory issues. (WELL Building Standard , (BREEAM)

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.

  • Varied local employment site opportunities: Allocate, provide and retain appropriate employment sites with the necessary infrastructure to attract a wide range of business types.  Encourage and provide varied employment opportunities to support job creation across sectors.
  • Locate employment sites close to housing: Provide local job opportunities close to where people live and in areas well served by public transport to reduce commuting distances and enabling people to walk or cycle.
  • Avoid isolated employment sites: Ensure employment opportunities are not isolated and integrated with communities, services, and amenities to avoid social and geographic disconnection. (Links with Quality provision and access to local services and facilities)
  • Prevent conflicts with sensitive land uses: Avoid locating industrial uses near to sensitive land uses such a housing, schools or healthcare facilities. Applying appropriate design, layout and buffer zones to minimise air quality, noise, odour and light pollution impacts.
  • Local training and construction employment: Ensure there are construction job opportunities and training provided to the local workforce.
  • Healthy workplaces: Encourage, use and meet healthy workplace principles and standards (e.g. WELL, BREEAM) Ensuring buildings are accessible and have good indoor air quality, natural light, ventilation, and thermal comfort, alongside facilities that support mental and physical health.
  • Outdoor spaces: Ensure employment sites include or are located near green infrastructure such as parks, and walking trails. Provide outdoor break areas close to building entrances including covered terraces which provide natural surveillance and immediate access to fresh air, planting and event spaces. 

Local data and evidence

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

  • Employment and or unemployment: Employment rate in East Sussex and districts, percentage of all people aged 16 and over who are economically active, percentage of all people aged 16 and over who are economically inactive by reason for inactivity, percentage of all people in employment in 2021 by occupation, percentage of working-age people (aged 16-64) claiming out-of-work benefits, unemployed claimant rates.
  • Qualifications: percentage of people age 16+ with different qualifications
  • Income deprivation: Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2025.

Data available on external websites: Indices of Deprivation 2025 Explorer | gov.uk

Evidence:

County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:  

  • Paragraph 85 - ‘Planning policies and decisions should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development.’
  • Supporting a prosperous rural economy Paragraph 88 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should enable:
  • a) the sustainable growth and expansion of all types of business in rural areas, both through conversion of existing buildings and well-designed, new buildings;
  • b) the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses;
  • c) sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments which respect the character of the countryside; and
  • d) the retention and development of accessible local services and community facilities, such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship.
  • Paragraph 98 – ‘To provide the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should;
  • e) ensure an integrated approach to considering the location of housing, economic uses and community facilities and services.’

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance highlights the importance of quality local employment sites for health and wellbeing, business productivity and building resilient people and communities.

Examples, best practice and or case studies

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 – Local employment sites provide opportunities for local facilities and services.
  • 1b. Inclusive Design – Quality provision includes access and opportunities for all population groups.
  • 1c. Safety and Security – Quality provision includes safe and secure buildings and surrounding environments.
  • 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Local employment sites provide opportunities for interaction.  
  • 4a. Environmental Hazards – Quality employment sites provide appropriate buffers between sensitive land uses and workspaces with good air quality, natural light, ventilation, and thermal comfort.
  • 4b. Access to Nature – Quality employment sites provide access to planting and green spaces.
  • 5. Transport: Local Connectivity, Mobility and Accessibility, Active Travel, Public Transport – Employment sites located close to residential areas and public transport options enables walking, wheeling and cycling and use of sustainable transport options. 
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Determinant 1c - Inclusive Design

Requirements

The UK’s expertise in inclusive design is supported by our domestic policy frameworks, including the 2010 Equality Act and UK building regulations. Inclusive design requires an approach that aims to create environments that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their age, ability, background, or other characteristics. Inclusive design goes beyond making places accessible it creates environments where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Included all ages in plan making, makes spaces work for all generations and acknowledges diversity and difference. Inclusive design offers choice where a single design solution cannot accommodate all or provide flexibility in use. Inclusive design looks holistically at how places are used and are designed with everyone in mind and where convenience and enjoyment are key. (see CABE, 2006 and CABE, 2008).

This determinant pulls together elements covered under other Aspects of the Framework such as the Transport determinant: Mobility and Accessibility and Housing determinant: Accessible and Adaptable.  

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

  • Mixed neighbourhoods and communities: Good design promotes social inclusion by creating balanced, mixed neighbourhoods which support everyone’s needs, are accessible and usable for all.
  • Use and safety: Easily accessible and safe buildings and spaces encourage use by everyone including older people, children and people with a disability.
  •  Accessibility: Use of local services and facilities is influenced by its accessibility, this includes:
    • Getting to the service or facility, the transport options.
    • Access into the building.
    • The range and quality of services offered.
  •  Sense of belonging: Well-designed and inclusive places contribute to a sense of belonging and foster good relations between and within communities. Wellbeing and belonging are strengthened by positive contact with neighbours and being involved together in decisions about shared places and spaces.
  • Integration and social connectivity: Thoughtful design of spaces which are inclusive of all ages and abilities supports integrated, cohesive and socially connected communities, encouraging multigenerational use and intergenerational relationships.  While poor design can cause social fragmentation. (LGA, 2015)

Older people (65+ years)

  • Age friendly design: The proportion of people over 65 in East Sussex is 26% compared to 18% in England. Rother District has the highest at 32%. East Sussex has the highest percentage of people aged 85 and over of any local authority in England. (ESCC, 2024) Well planned age friendly environments support our ageing population by ensuring age is not a barrier to living well. They help older people feel safe, comfortable and connected, while enabling continued participation in society. They also maximise older people’s social and economic contributions and foster intergenerational cooperation. (Age UK, 2015)
  • Physical activity: Walking and other physical activities are crucial for healthy ageing. Neighbourhood design can significantly influence the extent to which older people will engage in such activities. Older people are at a higher risk of falls where there is inadequate seating, environments are poorly maintained and there are unfamiliar or confusing design features. (LGA, 2015)
  • Dementia-friendly design: In 2016 there was estimated to be 10,172 people in East Sussex with dementia, equivalent to 1 in every 53 people. The figure is expected to increase to 15,900 by 2030. (ESCC, 2016)
    People living with dementia have specific needs in navigating their neighbourhoods. Well-designed memorable places enable those with dementia to live well and independently for longer. (RTPI, 2020)

Children and Young People (0-19 years)

  • Child friendly environments: Momentum is growing to create and design for places where children and young people can thrive. Spaces that encourage and support children and young people to be physically active promotes mental health, creativity, builds confidence and independence. Child friendly environments enable safe movement to and within spaces creating independence and supporting social skill development through play and interaction.  (APiC, ZCD Architects, RTPI, 2019)

Neurodivergent

  • Sensory-inclusive needs and environments: Neurodivergent individuals are those with sensory and/or information processing differences to the majority. It is commonly associated with a range of conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and Tourette’s syndrome. Some environments can cause anxiety or distress for people with processing differences, making navigation difficult and creating barriers to use.
  • Good sensory inclusive environments provide a range of environmental, economic and social advantages. This includes enhancing performance, reducing fatigue, stress and anxiety, improving wayfinding and learning and fostering safe, comfortable, empowering and enjoyable spaces. (Design for the mind, 2022)

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 principles

  • People centred design with strong engagement: Ensure people are at the heart of the design process with strong and appropriate engagement with all sections of the local community on their specific needs including older people, children, disabled and neurodivergent individuals.
  • Inclusive public spaces and buildings: Design public spaces and buildings for the use of all sections of the population including for all ages and abilities. Ensuring all feel they are welcome and have a right to be there.
  • Age friendly communities: Create environments which support older people to live healthy, independent and socially connected lives. Taking an integrated approach to thinking about places, removing barriers and creating safe, accessible and socially connected spaces.  
  • Multigenerational spaces: Create places where diverse people of all age can meet, where no single group dominates. Spaces which support healthy ageing, community integration and intergenerational relationships.
  • Accessible buildings: Ensure that access to, into and use of buildings considers the needs of everyone especially disabled people, older adults, and families with children.

Detailed measures

  • Inclusive movement and access: Prioritise inclusive design in streetscape, building orientation, and access routes.
    Remove physical barriers such as steps or uneven surfaces to assist those with visual impairments, reduced mobility, or pushchairs. 
  • Navigation and wayfinding: Use clear signage, especially to key destinations, visual contrast, lighting, gateways, focal points and landmarks to support intuitive wayfinding. Design buildings and public spaces that are distinct, and culturally significant, enhancing memorability.
  • Dementia-friendly design: Create environments that are familiar, legible, safe, accessible, distinctive, and comfortable to support independent living. (RTPI, 2020)
  • Neurodivergent considerations: Embed neuroinclusive design and design for the neurodivergent. Design spaces with sensitivity to sensory needs, consider lighting, noise levels, colour schemes, clarity of layout, and logical wayfinding to reduce anxiety and improve comfort. (Design for the mind, 2022)
  • Child-friendly design: Create spaces and environments which enable children to play (both formally and informally), to also move safely, meet friends, and build independence in their neighbourhoods.
    Supportive infrastructure: Provide essential facilities such as accessible public toilets, drinking fountains, and cafés to encourage longer and more inclusive use of public spaces.
  • Seating for all: Install varied and accessible seating options, including those suitable for wheelchair users, older adults, and children in pushchairs. This should include seating with arm rests and backs which provide leverage and support for those with limited mobility.
  • Multiple design solutions: Recognise that one size does not fit all, design with flexibility and offer alternative solutions to meet diverse needs.
  • Maintenance and longevity: Ensure ongoing maintenance plans are in place to keep spaces and facilities safe, clean, and fully functional.

Local data and evidence

Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile (link): East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile

  • Age: Population by broad age group
  • Gender: Females and Males
  • Race and ethnicity: Broad ethnic groups
  • Disability: Disabled under the Equality Act
  • Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
  • Mobility: Emergency hospital admissions due to falls in people

Data available on external websites: Active Lives Small Area Estimates Tool | Sport England  

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:  

  • Paragraph 96 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places.’
  • Paragraph 135 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments:
  • f) create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users.’
  • The National Planning Practice Guidance, Healthy and Safe Communities states:
  • Paragraph 3 – What is a healthy place?
  • It is a place which is inclusive and promotes social interaction. The National Design Guide sets out further detail on promoting social interaction through inclusive design including guidance on tenure neutral design and spaces that can be shared by all residents.
  • It meets the needs of children and young people to grow and develop, as well as being adaptable to the needs of an increasingly elderly population and those with dementia and other sensory or mobility impairments.

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance stresses the importance of designing an environment which meets the needs of everyone, outlining evidence and key aspects which support and meet the specific needs of different population groups.

Examples, best practice and or case studies

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 – Inclusive design enables quality provision of local services and facilities for everyone.

1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites - Inclusive design enables quality provision of local employment sites.

1d. Safety and Security – Safe buildings and spaces encourage use by everyone.

1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Inclusive design encourages and supports community cohesion and interaction.

1f. Art, Culture and Heritage - Attractive and Distinctive Places – Inclusive design incorporates historic and cultural landmarks to aid navigation.

2a. Quality Housing – Inclusive design supports and ensures comfortable living conditions for all.

2b. Accessible and Adaptable Housing – Inclusive design ensures everyone has access to appropriate housing.

4b. Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue Spaces - Inclusive design ensures everyone has access to nature and opportunities to be active.

4c. Outdoor Play and Recreation - Inclusive design ensures everyone can enjoy and benefit from a variety of physical activities. 

5. Transport: Local Connectivity, Mobility and Accessibility, Active Travel, Public Transport – Inclusive places require accessible transport options which cater for all users.

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Determinant 1d - Safety and Security

Requirements

A safe and secure neighbourhood which is free from crime, the fear of crime and violence is an important requirement for physical and mental wellbeing. It enables people to feel secure and confident to access and engage with their neighbourhood increasing physical activity and social contact. It helps to create a sense of community and strong community cohesion. A lack of safety can lead to stress, anxiety and other health issues.

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.

  • Crime and fear of crime: Crime and the perception and ‘fear’ of crime can have major impacts on both physical health and mental wellbeing.  It can heighten stress and anxiety leading to detrimental impacts on mental health which can have wider longer-term health consequences. (The Health Foundation, 2025), 
  • Safety and security: A sense of safety and security is integral to people’s mental health and wellbeing, without this people can experience chronic stress or avoid necessary activities.
  • Victim impacts: As well as the immediate physical and psychological impact of being a victim of crime, people can also suffer indirect long-term health consequences, including disability, victimisation, isolation and loneliness because of fear. (Victim Support, 2017)
  • Poor design and under used spaces: Poorly designed public and communal areas can lead to under‑used, isolated spaces with limited natural surveillance, increasing the risk of crime, fear of crime and anti‑social behaviour. Physical barriers, such as busy roads without safe crossing points, can further segregate communities, discourage movement, and heighten perceptions of insecurity. Such environments can also create opportunities for drug and alcohol misuse and increase the risk of violence, particularly against women and girls.  
  • Intimidating routes: Walking, wheeling and cycle routes and cycle parking which feel unsafe or hostile due to poor lighting or lack of people can lead to avoidance. People are then more likely to use cars more or go out less, reducing physical activity and social interaction. (Healthy Streets)
  • Being seen: The design of places that encourage natural surveillance, where people can see and be seen, and that promote social interaction can help to reduce crime and the perception and ‘fear’ of crime. (National Design Guide | 2021)  
  • Use of places: People who feel safe in their environment are more comfortable in using local services and facilities and using active travel methods to reach these.

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.

  • Reduce opportunities for crime: Include measures to reduce opportunities and limit situations where crime can occur.
  • Natural surveillance: Incorporate natural surveillance by creating overlooked well-lit public spaces, pedestrian and cycle routes and cycle parking. Designing the layout of residential and commercial areas to ensure natural surveillance.
  • Clear and legible routes: Create clear, legible, well-defined routes differentiating public and private spaces.
  • Avoid intimidating environments: Avoid creating pedestrian environments which are intimidating and inconvenient that will reduce usage.
  • Create well designed places: Create well designed quality places which enable possibilities for community interaction creating active well used environments.  Active use of street and public spaces, combined with effective lighting, decreases the likelihood of opportunities for ant-social behaviour or criminal activity.
  • Create active frontages: Design buildings with active frontages facing streets and public spaces to enhance visibility, and informal surveillance.
  • Engagement: Engage with the community in development proposals to identify and lessen fears and concerns and foster a sense of ownership, empowerment and use. Particularly engagement with women and girls to ensure spaces are designed with them in mind.  (Make Space for Girls Resource Library)
  • Collaborate with police and security experts: Work with the police to get advice on applying ‘secure by design’ principles in development proposals. (Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, 2025)  
  • Maintenance: Ensure management and maintenance plans are in place to discourage crime in the present and the future.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs: 

  • Paragraph 96 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:
  • b) are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion – for example through the use of well-designed, clear and legible pedestrian and cycle routes, and high quality public space, which encourage the active and continual use of public areas.’
  • Paragraph 102 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should promote public safety and take into account wider security and defence requirements by:
  • a) anticipating and addressing possible malicious threats and other hazards (whether natural or man-made), especially in locations where large numbers of people are expected to congregate. Policies for relevant areas (such as town centre and regeneration frameworks), and the layout and design of developments, should be informed by the most up-to-date information available from the police and other agencies about the nature of potential threats and their implications. This includes appropriate and proportionate steps that can be taken to reduce vulnerability, increase resilience and ensure public safety and security. The safety of children and other vulnerable users in proximity to open water, railways and other potential hazards should be considered in planning and assessing proposals for development;’
  • Paragraph 135 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments:
  • f) create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users; and where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience.’

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance highlights that environments should be designed to reduce opportunities for crime and to create places where everyone feel safe and secure.  

Examples, best practice and or case studies

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 – Safe and secure environments support quality provision of local services and facilities.
  • 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites - Safe and secure environments and buildings support quality provision of local employment.
  • 1c. Inclusive Design – Safe buildings and spaces encourage use by everyone.
  • 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Safe and perceived safe places encourage use and increase opportunities for interaction contributing to social cohesion.
  • 2a. Quality Housing – Safety is a key aspect of quality housing.
  • 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue Spaces – Safety is important in creating quality spaces which everyone feels safe in and can use.
  • 4c. Outdoor Play and Recreation – Safe and perceived safe spaces for play and recreation, such as areas with natural surveillance, encourages use particularly by vulnerable groups.   
  • 5. Transport: Mobility and Accessibility, Active Travel, Public Transport - Safe and perceived safe routes and access to public transport encourages and enables everyone to use these alternatives to the car.
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Determinant 1e - Social Cohesion and Interaction

Requirements

Social cohesion broadly speaking is the ‘glue’ that binds society together. It can be measured through key dimensions such as a sense of belonging, social inclusion, social capital, sense of trust and civic engagement. It refers to the requirement for strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a community. It helps to reduce social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation is an absence of social contacts or community involvement or a lack of access to services. Loneliness is a subjective unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It happens when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships that we have, and those that we want. Creating opportunities within environments for people to interact reduces social isolation and loneliness.

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.

  • Poor health outcomes: Loneliness is associated with poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety and contributes to physical health decline.  Loneliness is linked to increased premature mortality rates.  The East Sussex Community Survey found that in 2019 a quarter of people said they feel lonely often or some of the time, with 5% saying they feel lonely often. (East Sussex DPH Report, 2023)
  • Financial costs: A study has found that disconnected communities could be costing the UK economy £32 billion every year.(Eden Project) Social isolation and loneliness place a significant financial burden on adult social care and health care services. Loneliness is also likely to lead to higher costs across public and private sectors due to greater service usage, absences and productivity losses.
  • Loneliness affects all age groups: There is increasing recognition that loneliness can occur in all ages and is not just a risk for older people, it is connected to factors such as social class, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and the physical environment. Reported loneliness is higher for those who are 16 to 24 years old. (GOV.UK, 2023)
  • Most at risk population groups: Population groups at greatest risk of isolation and loneliness are: older adults, mothers of young children, children and young people, carers, teenage mothers, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, ethnic minority groups, people with long-term conditions or disability, young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), unemployed people, people who suffer with a substance disorder, people who live alone, those who rent their home (either privately or social housing), those who have recently moved home, those with lower incomes and homeless people.
  • Welcoming places: Well-designed welcoming environments can increase opportunities for social connections and interaction increasing social cohesion.  This fosters a sense of belonging, reduces loneliness and feelings of exclusion. It creates opportunities for intergenerational relationships and activities to develop reducing loneliness across age groups.
  • Supportive environments: Environments which enable friendship and supportive networks in a community can help to reduce depression and levels of chronic illness as well as speed recovery after illness and improve overall wellbeing. 
  • Community severance: Community cohesion can be disrupted by infrastructure such as roads or developments that sever community links. They may block familiar walking routes or create barriers to movement affecting social connections. (NatCen, 2019)

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.

  • Quality design: Create public spaces and building that are well-designed, welcoming, attractive, safe and adaptable that support and encourage interaction both informally and for events.
  • Variety of spaces for interaction: Provide a variety of spaces big enough for people to gather, socialise and interact comfortably.
  • Integrate variety of seating: Incorporate seating into spaces which are inclusive, accessible, visible, and appropriate for people of all ages and needs. Provide a range within public spaces for those to spend time privately and those to socialise with friends and family, for example social seating (e.g. benches facing each other), friendly benches and larger picnic benches.
  • Access to community facilities: Improve access to and create quality provision of community facilities that facilitate friendship, supportive networks and social participation. Including access to public toilets to encourage and support use of spaces.
  • Design informal meeting spaces: Create streets, paths and environments that allow and encourage people to meet informally. Provide places with wide pavements or spaces for several people to stand.
  • Strengthen links with the wider area: Create strong physical and visual links between new developments and the surrounding area.
  • Avoid disrupting existing community links: Consider the impacts and avoid disruption, severance and barriers to established walking routes and community connections, especially to essential services and facilities.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:  

  • Paragraph 96 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:
  • a) promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other – for example through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood centres, street layouts that allow for easy pedestrian and cycle connections within and between neighbourhoods, and active street frontages;’
  • The National Planning Policy Guidance states:
  • Paragraph 3 – What is a healthy place?
  • It is a place which is inclusive and promotes social interaction. The National Design Guide sets out further detail on promoting social interaction through inclusive design including guidance on tenure neutral design and spaces that can be shared by all residents.

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance highlights the importance of making environments more supportive of social connections creating places which encourage interaction promoting health and wellbeing.

  • Tackling loneliness through the built environment | Campaign to End Loneliness | 2022 It shows how design can reduce loneliness by encouraging everyday encounters and deeper social connections.  It highlights the value of welcoming public spaces, shared community buildings and walkable routes that help people meet and participate locally.
  • National Design Guide | Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government | 2021 This illustrates how well-designed places can be achieved in practice. Includes a framework of ten characteristics of well-designed places.  It is a key theme across the guide however key sections for this determinant are: ‘Public Spaces – safe, social and inclusive, Built Form- a coherent pattern of development, Movement – accessible and easy to move around, Nature – enhanced and optimised, Uses- mixed and integrated.’

Examples, best practice and or case studies

Marine Workshops, Newhaven

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 – Creating areas for people to meet and interact supports the provision of quality services and facilities.
  • 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites – Local employment provides opportunities for interaction. 
  • 1c. Inclusive Design – Creating places that enables a variety of people to meet and interact supports inclusivity.
  • 1d. Safety and Security – Places for people to interact should be safe and perceived safe.
  • 1f. Art, Culture and Heritage - Attractive and Distinctive Places – Provision of a variety of quality spaces to meet will contribute to creating attractive and distinct places.  
  • 2a. Quality Housing – Creating places which enable social interaction increasing social cohesion provides the contextual environment which supports quality housing.
  • 3b. Food Growing – Community food growing enables interaction and contributes to social cohesion.
  • 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue spaces – Creating places for people to interact within green and blue spaces and open spaces with planting will provide access to nature.
  • 5. Transport: Local Connectivity, Mobility and Accessibility, Active Travel, Public Transport - Creating places for people to interact within routes and avoiding severance allowing interaction and movement through communities encourages and enables people to use active travel.
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Determinant 1f - Arts, Culture and Heritage: Attractive and Distinctive Places

Requirements

Well-designed, attractive and distinctive places require a strong local identity that fosters pride and supports the creation of sustainable communities and neighbourhoods. A sense of a place is shaped by local history, culture and heritage, and their influence on the built environment and landscape. Cultural infrastructure, such as theatres, museums, and galleries, can create a “cathedral effect”, whereby the landmark building enhances a place’s character, distinctiveness and value beyond their direct use. Research shows such assets are valued even by those who do not use them directly. Local character makes places distinctive, memorable and legible helping people to navigate spaces. A positive sense of a place is required to support belonging, wellbeing, inclusion and community cohesion.

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.

Attractive, distinct places (National Design Guide, 2021) 

  • Quality of the local environment: A well maintained, visually pleasing environment supports mental and physical wellbeing, boosts social cohesion, the local economy, and fosters pride in place.
  • Design quality: Elements like varied architecture, high-quality public spaces, and visual interest contribute to how people feel in their surroundings, encouraging a positive emotional connection and reduced stress. 
  • Encourages outdoor: activity Attractive and characterful places encourage people to spend more time outdoors which promotes improved mental health and increases physical activity.
  • Wayfinding and accessibility:  Distinctive and memorable landmarks or spaces help people, especially those with cognitive impairments like dementia, navigate the environment with more confidence.
  • Strong identity: Places with a positive and coherent identity help their users and occupiers feel proud, included and connected.  This helps to create and sustain communities and neighbourhoods reducing isolation, loneliness and exclusion.

Art, Culture and heritage

  • Public art: Including art and cultural elements in public spaces and within developments stimulates creativity and curiosity, creates shared landmarks, encourages interaction, fosters a sense of local identity and place and belonging.
  • Local involvement in design: Using local creatives, designers and communities’ input, create places which reflect local identity, stories and culture, enhancing community ownership and pride and supporting social bonding through collective identity and value. (East Sussex DPH Report, 2024)
  • Heritage strengthens community roots: Physical heritage, historic buildings and streets, creates important links to the past and enables residents and visitors to feel connected to a place and its community. Building resilience and wellbeing by strengthening emotional connections and providing continuity of identity. (Historic England, 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 principles

  • Create attractive places, buildings and environments: Design places that enhance, have visual appeal, comfort and functionally.
  • Connect to local culture and history: Improve access and links to the culture and history of the area. Integrate local stories and traditions into design.
  • Coherent identity: Reflect and create a strong, positive and coherent local identity that residents and local communities can identify with. Avoid a disconnect between the new development and existing residents.
  • Memorable distinct places: Design distinct and creative landmarks, views and focal points to help people navigate places.
  • Incorporate public art: Commission artworks through collaborative processes with local creatives and communities to reflect local identity and embed cultural values.
  • Involve local communities in shaping developments: Engage with communities early in planning process to ensure the final designs reflect local identity and the culture of all sections of the community.

Detailed measures

  • Understand the site’s context and culture: Research and respond to the site and neighbourhood’s history, social context, and built form, and use this to inform the design of the development including the location, siting, and materials.
  • Draw out and embed local stories: Incorporate local narratives and symbolic features into the design.
  • Use materials and details that enhance distinctiveness: Select materials, construction details and planting that contribute to the visual appeal, local distinctiveness and context and long-term maintenance. 
  • Retain and integrate existing site features: Incorporate any distinctive site characteristics as features including existing assets such as mature trees.
  • Ensure sensitive transitions between old and new: Avoid abrupt contrasts. Align scale, form, and materials to existing built environment to maintain visual harmony.

Local data and evidence

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

  • Age: Population by broad age group
  • Loneliness:  Percentage of adults who feel lonely always, often or some of the time

Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.

National planning policy context

The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:  

  • Paragraph 129 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should support development that makes efficient use of land, taking into account:
  • d) the desirability of maintaining an area’s prevailing character and setting (including residential gardens), or of promoting regeneration and change; and
  • e) the importance of securing well-designed, attractive and healthy places.’
  • Paragraph 131 – ‘The creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. Being clear about design expectations, and how these will be tested, is essential for achieving this. So too is effective engagement between applicants, communities, local planning authorities and other interests throughout the process.’
  • Paragraph 134 – ‘…all guides and codes should be based on effective community engagement and reflect local aspirations for the development of their area, taking into account the guidance contained in the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code. These national documents should be used to guide decisions on applications in the absence of locally produced design guides or design codes.’
  • Paragraph 135 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments:
  • a) will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development;
  • b) are visually attractive as a result of good architecture, layout and appropriate and effective landscaping;
  • c) are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation or change (such as increased densities);
  • d) establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create attractive, welcoming and distinctive places to live, work and visit;’

Other key guidance and standards

Guidance emphasises the need to embed local context, heritage and identity within developments. Creating places where people feel a sense of belonging and pride.  

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 – Attractive environments support quality provision of local facilities and services.
  • 1c. Inclusive Design – Distinct places and spaces with local identity help people navigate areas.
  • 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Incorporating local art and historical and cultural elements encourages interaction, collective identity and fosters a sense of belonging and pride.  
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