Challenges and opportunities in reforming the planning system for England: a rapid review of literature and lessons for the future of planning for health

Land use planning is primarily undertaken at the local level through local plans and development management decisions by local authorities. Planning includes objectives around promoting healthy and safe communities so public health considerations and involvement are necessary. A rapid review was undertaken of reports specific to the planning system between 2010 and 2024 and based on methods focused on gathering professional views. The reports were from academic papers, professional practice reports and parliamentary inquiries. There is a need to take a systems thinking approach to health focusing on the connections across the system, context and capability. This can help identify connected themes and gaps. In this context, the analysis found consistent themes for discussion: uncertainty in the reform process, clarity in national policy, complexity in plan-making and the local plan, delays in decision-making, politics in planning, reduced resourcing in local government, decreasing capability and skills, and concluding with reflections on improving public health consideration and involvement to drive local healthy planning. The implications for public health involvement and consideration of health and wellbeing issues in planning as a key influence of the wider determinants of health can be profound with challenges and opportunities presented for future policy and practice.