A briefing for the House of Lords regarding the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (July 2025)
Our homes and neighbourhoods define our life chances and our economic productivity. To solve the housing crises, we have to build more homes, but for the sake of future generations we have to build those homes well. New homes must also be healthy homes. Homes that are connected to amenities, nature and work, that are genuinely affordable, that meet diverse needs, that will be resilient over the long term. However, the current housing system is failing to promote people’s physical, mental and social health – especially for those in the most deprived areas.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill was a real opportunity to put this right but despite the overwhelming health data, the bill contains nothing to enable health creation in new development. A comprehensive approach to housing standards is required to create clarity, so all new homes and communities are built with health creation as a central aim. The amendments tabled by Lord Crisp will help to ensure future homes are built to meet everyone’s needs. These amendments reunite health
and planning, and most importantly guarantee a new generation of healthy homes.
