Policy information sourced from the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan

Policy 51 Health and Wellbeing (Strategic Policy)

A. The Council will support development that promotes healthy lifestyles and reduces health inequalities, and results in a pattern of land uses and facilities which provide:

  1. Access to sustainable modes of travel such as safe cycling routes, safe and attractive walking routes and easy access to public transport to promote active travel and reduce car dependency as well as air pollution, supporting the Healthy Streets approach as set out in Policy 1 ‘Living Locally and the 20-minute neighbourhood (Strategic Policy)’.
  2. Access to green infrastructure, including river corridors, local open spaces as well as leisure, recreation and play facilities to encourage physical activity, as set out in Policy 37 ‘Public Open Space, Play, Sport and Recreation ‘.
  3. Access to local community facilities, services and shops which encourage opportunities for social interaction and active and healthy living in accordance with Policy 1 ‘Living Locally and the 20-minute neighbourhood (Strategic Policy)’, as well as contributing to dementia-friendly environments.
  4. Access to local healthy food, for example, allotments and food growing spaces including rooftop gardens, as set out in Policy 52 ‘Allotments and Food Growing Spaces’ and food growing spaces.
  5. Access to free public toilet facilities which are open to all residents and visitors in major developments that are open to the public, and free ‘Changing Places’ toilets where appropriate as set out in London Plan Policy S6 (linked to the Council’s Community Toilet scheme); and retain existing public toilet facilities.
  6. Access to free drinking water at appropriate locations in new or redeveloped public realm, in accordance with London Plan Policy D8.
  7. A safe, inclusive development layout and public realm that considers the needs of all, including the older population and disabled people, in accordance with London Plan Policy D5.
  8. Active Design which encourages wellbeing and greater physical movement as part of everyday routines.
  9. Access to healthy housing in accordance with Policy 13 ‘Housing Mix and Standards ’ and Policy 28 ‘Local Character and Design Quality (Strategic Policy)’ quality, to create internal environments and associated external spaces that support the health and wellbeing of future occupiers.

B. This policy will be delivered by requiring developments to comply with the following:

  1. A Health Impact Assessment must be submitted with all major development proposals.
  2. An Inclusive Design Statement is required as part of the Design and Access Statement.
  3. The Council will refuse proposals for new fast food takeaways located within 400 metres of the boundaries of a primary or secondary school in order to restrict the availability of unhealthy foods to reflect London Plan Policy E9.
  4. Existing health facilities will need to be retained where these continue to meet, or can be adapted to meet, residents’ needs.
  5. Applications for new or improved facilities or loss of health and social care facilities will be assessed in line with the criteria set out in Policy 49 ‘Social and Community Infrastructure (Strategic Policy)’.

For more information please see the Richmond Upon Thames Local Plan