Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

• Acknowledge the potential links between health and the sustainable use of resources. Many
different elements could be cited, including water resources and energy use. One further important
component relates to the generation of waste; in this context it will be important to ensure that
waste management is included within design criteria for new/existing settlements, following the
principles set out in Planning Policy Statement 10 (Planning for Sustainable Waste Management).
6.5 In addition, it will be imperative that the links between healthy communities and transport planning
are made fully and creatively. 98 In terms of health outcomes, transport – which includes walking
and cycling as well as the use of private vehicles and public transport – is double-edged. Its healthpromoting
aspects can include access, recreation, exercise and economic development. However
negative effects include: pollution; traffic injuries; noise; stress and anxiety; danger; land loss and
planning blight; and community severance. 99 Moreover, evidence suggests that the negative impacts
tend to be experienced primarily by more deprived communities, thereby exacerbating inequalities
in health outcomes. All of these different dimensions need to be taken into account fully in planning
for healthy sustainable communities across the East of England. Moving forward, the opportunities
linked to ‘active transport’ 100 need to be explored in some detail.
6.6 Against this backdrop, Strategic Priority 1 is intended to ensure that the social, economic and
environmental foundations of healthy lifestyles are designed creatively into new and existing
communities in the East of England; 101 and in delivering this priority, the links to Strategic Priority 9 102
need to be clear and strong. Spatially, the focus will need to be on those parts of the Region which
are growing quickly and/or undergoing significant regeneration.
6.7 In terms of the Actions that follow, the priorities identified by the World Health Organisation are
relevant to much of the East of England – and across urban and rural areas alike. Hence it will be
essential to continue to work closely with Inspire East (see Figure 6.2), planners and developers to
ensure that health genuinely is ‘designed in’ as the Region seeks to respond both to the Regional
Economic Strategy and – once it is finalised – to the East of England Plan. In addition, there is a
need to support the intention – set out in the Regional Housing Strategy – for the Regional Housing
Delivery Group to liaise with health professionals and to encourage better joint working and planning
between housing authorities, PCTs and SHAs. Building on work already undertaken within the Region,
it will be important to support health professionals as they seek to engage effectively with the new
planning system. 103 Some specific Actions are set out in the Table on page 70.
Figure 6.2: Inspire East
Inspire East is one of the Regeneration Centres of Excellence across England which were set up in
the context of the wider sustainable communities agenda. Inspire East is a regional body and it aims
to drive up skills and knowledge in the related fields of regeneration and neighbourhood renewal.
Its services are available to a wide range of people from the public and private sector including built
environment professional, regeneration practitioners, people from the public and private sector
including built environment professionals, regeneration practitioners, people working for local/
regional government and community representatives.
Taken from Inspire East’s website: www.inspire-east.org.uk
98 This should build on the World Health Organisation Declaration on Transport, Environment and Health which commits governments to promote
health in transport policies and was signed in June 1999.
99 Carrying out a health impact assessment of a transport policy: Guidance from the Transport and Health Study Group, Faculty of Health Medicine.
100 Defined as travel modes that involve physical activity.
101 There are close links between Strategic Priority 1 and Strategic Priority 9 (To understand and plan for the impacts of climate change and the more
sustainable use of resources within the Region in terms of health and health inequalities issues).
102 Strategic Priority 9 focuses on climate change and the more sustainable use of resources; it is discussed in Chapter 8.
103 Reuniting Health and Planning: A Training Needs Analysis Report by Ben Cave Associates, Common Cause Consulting and InteREAM for ODPM
and partners, May 2005.
A Regional Health Strategy for the East of England 67