In February 2025, Local Health and Global Profits (LHGP) researchers took part in a webinar looking at the role of town planning and place-making in the health of communities. It explored revisions made to the National Planning Policy Framework in relation to health and considerations for local authorities.

The webinar, hosted by the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), featured presentations from LHGP Director, Professor Anna Gilmore and experts from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF) sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.

Revisions made to the NPPF in December 2024 include new provisions to promote healthy communities, including that local planning authorities should refuse applications for hot food takeaways and fast food outlets within walking distance of schools and other places where children and young people congregate, or locations where there is evidence that such uses are having an adverse impact on local health, pollution or anti-social behaviour.

Please note: The National Planning Policy Framework discussed in this webinar is accurate as at December 2024.