Published: 6 November 2025
A new research report has found that Local Development Plans (LDPs) offer a key opportunity to ensure that the planning system supports the health and well-being of people and communities across Wales.
The report, ' Achieving Public Health and Well-being Priorities through Local Development Plans in Wales ' prepared for Public Health Wales by Cardiff University, examined three case studies from Bridgend, Cardiff and Conwy. He noted how Local Development Plans incorporate health and well-being as priorities within local planning decisions.
The research highlights how local development plans can be effective in supporting the achievement of health and well-being priorities by promoting active lifestyles, access to services, green spaces and healthy food environments.
He also found opportunities to further strengthen the influence of the planning system on health. This included co-ordinating improved healthcare infrastructure, national policy changes to control the food environment and hot takeaways, and wider use of Health Impact Assessments in planning.
Liz Green, Public Health Consultant and Director of the Health Impact Assessment Program at Public Health Wales said:
"Local Development Plans (LDPs) in Wales are key to shaping our local places, and provide direction for development and for planning decisions, so they offer a significant opportunity to influence the health and well-being of our local communities.
"This work has identified the ways in which the link between spatial planning and health is being strengthened across three different areas in Wales and makes some clear recommendations about how that link can be further improved."
The report provides practical evidence and recommendations for planners, local health boards and policy makers and emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration between planning and public health professionals.