ACP insights & guidance
A housing proposal can affect health through its design, location and relationship with the surrounding area. Early health evidence helps the team see which choices still influence those outcomes. Once the access, layout and tenure assumptions are fixed, it becomes harder to act on the findings.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ 2026 work on housing and health in local strategic planning provides context for those connections. Check the local authority’s policy and validation requirements to establish whether it asks for a formal Health Impact Assessment and at what level.
Start with the people affected
Consider future residents and existing communities around the site. People may experience the same design differently. A walking route that suits most adults could present barriers for someone using a wheelchair or pushing a buggy. A home that ventilates easily in a model may need a different strategy where noise or security affects how people can use windows.
Use local evidence and describe its limits. A neighbourhood-level statistic helps identify questions. It rarely tells you exactly how a particular design will affect each person.
Connect evidence to decisions the design team can make
- Access and services. Check actual routes to schools, shops, green space and public transport. Walk or audit important routes where possible. Record crossings, gradients and barriers as well as distance.
- Indoor and outdoor conditions. Bring noise, air quality and overheating evidence together. Identify assumptions that depend on resident behaviour or building operation.
- Construction and occupation. Consider who could be affected by temporary disturbance and when promised amenities or routes will be available.
- Delivery. Name the designer, client or operator responsible for each agreed action. Carry it into the drawing, specification or management record that will control delivery.
Illustrative example
A direct route from new homes to a bus stop crosses a busy road. The design team can compare a different pedestrian connection and seek evidence on the crossing and onward walking route. Separately, it can check whether moving the entrance changes exposure near the road. Record the issue, option and decision together so the health evidence remains useful when the layout changes.
Review the emerging evidence at concept design, before submission and when substantial design changes occur. A formal HIA brief can then focus on the remaining decisions, affected groups and evidence gaps.
Common question
Does every housing proposal need a full HIA?
Check the local policy, validation requirements, scale and likely effects. The authority may distinguish between screening and different levels of assessment.
References and scope
- OHID, Housing and health in local strategic health planning, 5 June 2026
- Public Health England, Health impact assessment in spatial planning
Discuss the project brief
Share the current housing layout and the decisions still open when discussing the scope of health evidence.