On 13 December 2023, the government issued a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) on ‘Planning – Local Energy Efficiency Standards Update.’ The WMS seeks to curtail new local plan policies that use energy-based metrics, designed to achieve emissions reductions through securing fabric efficiency standards and highly energy efficient buildings.   The TCPA, alongside other industry leaders and…

The UK population is ageing. By 2040, nearly one in seven people is projected to be aged over 75 and in some areas of England, this age-group will make up over 25% of the local population. Concerningly, unless we take action, many of these people will live years of their later lives in poor health. This has huge implications not only for health and social care but also for how we plan, create and manage homes, streets, neighbourhoods and places to support healthy ageing.

Where children and young people grow up shapes their ability to live healthy lives. Children and young people are vulnerable to their environments as they are rapidly developing physically, emotionally and socially and so homes, neighbourhoods and communities should be designed with their needs in mind and their voices heard.

In January, the TCPA held a popular event for local authorities that were considering the impacts of the 13 December 2023 Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) on ‘Planning – Local Energy Efficiency Standards Update.’ Industry leaders and local authorities are deeply concerned about the impact of this WMS on the ability of local authorities to meet…

Flood risk is a fundamental consideration for planning, and decision makers must ensure that proposals can be made safe from all sources of flood risk for the lifetime of the…

Healthy homes are essential for people to live healthy, happy lives. There is strong evidence showing how the quality of our homes and neighbourhoods affects our mental and physical health.…

Young people have a right to be involved in the decisions that shape the places where they live and including them creates better places for everyone. The Voice Opportunity Power toolkit is a free resource with practical guidance on how to involve young people (11-18) in the way that places get built and managed. It…

Teenagers and young people have lots of knowledge about their neighbourhoods and spaces, but too often no-one asks them what they think. Designed to involve young people in the making…

Can green and blue infrastructure help reduce health inequalities? Join this free webinar that will delve into the latest research linking planning, green / blue space, and health inequalities. Led…

From muddy knees to makeshift dens, everyday playful encounters with nature are far more than a ‘nice to have’ in childhood. Evidence shows that contact with plants, trees, soil and water supports children’s physical health, cognitive development, mental wellbeing and social connectedness, and can help close health gaps between more and less advantaged children. This…