DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

6.16 Runnymede contains a total population 80,500 which is made up of 32,700 households (2011
census). Within the total population of Runnymede the majority of the population is aged
between 25 and 64 (51.55%).
6.17 The Public Health Observatories health profile (2012) shows that Runnymede records higher
than the national average life expectancy for men and women. The Health Profile identifies
road injuries and deaths, alcohol and hip fractures as priorities within Runnymede.
6.18 There are health inequalities within the area. In general life expectancy for both men and
women in the borough is high. However, life expectancy for men and women from the most
deprived areas is around five years lower than for those from the least deprived areas.
6.19 Over the last 10 years, all cause mortality rates have fallen. Early death rates from cancer and
from heart disease and stroke have also fallen and the latter is better than the England
average. Almost 1 in 5 adults smoke and almost 1 in 4 are obese and the rate of death and
serious injury on the roads is slightly lower than England’s average. ( 36)
6.20 Table 44 provides a summary of the key issues and challenges that have been identified as
having particular relevance to the Council’s emerging Local Plan on this receptor. Those issues
and challenges have been identified from the baseline environmental information as well as
through discussion with various officers within the Council and external statutory and nonstatutory
consultees.
Table 44 – ER02 Summary Key Environmental Issues and Challenges
Receptor
[ER02] Welfare, Health and
Well‐being
Key Issues, challenges and potential responses for the Local
Plan
Summary: Runnymede records high levels of life expectancy. The average life
expectancy for woman in Runnymede is 83.7 years and 80.7 years for men
(data taken from 2007-9)
However, 12.2% of children within Runnymede live in poverty.
Issues and Challenges: National statistics health profile indicates that men and
women resident in Runnymede have a higher than average life expectancy.
According to the health profile the priorities for Runnymede include; road
injuries and deaths, alcohol over-use and hip fractures.
Possible LP Response: The LP could bring forward policies to prioritise the
enablement of physically activities that improve welfare, health, and well-being,
including user education schemes, as well as physical improvements and joint
schemes with neighbouring boroughs and providers. Policies could be included
that requires developers to adopt both the “Lifetime Homes and Lifetime
Neighbourhoods” standards for all developments. Policies could be included that
requires developers to recognise and exploit the wider health and leisure
opportunities created by regeneration and supporting infrastructure. Policies
could also be taken to enhance access by public transport, cycling and walking,
linking with the health agenda to improve overall quality of life.
How LP Responded: The LP does not contain a policy set on health. It could be
argued that links to health within polices are of a secondary nature such as
development and access to facilities enhancing well-being.
Evolution of Baseline in Absence of Plan
6.21 The population of Runnymede is growing; data suggests that between 1991 and 2001 there
was a growth rate of 8.7%, mainly due to net inward migration rather than a natural increase.
At the time of the 2001 Census there were considered to be around 32,000 households in the
borough, accommodating a population of 78,033. The 2011 Census shows that the population
has increased to 80,500 in 32,700 households.
6.22 By projecting the population growth rate between the three censuses periods of 1991, 2001
and 2011 and assuming a similar rate of population increase over this period, the population
will have potentially risen to around 86,000 in 2026 (See: Figure 8).
36 All data taken from the APHO 2010 Health Profile http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/aphosearch.aspx
Page | 86 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013