Better planning and infrastructure policies can have a benefit on health, members of Swindon Borough Council's health and wellbeing board will hear.
Phil Smith, the manager of planning policy at Euclid Street will tell the councillors that the authority has factored in the health of people into its planning policies and wants to increase that.
His report says: "There are clear health benefits of promoting active lifestyles, be it enabling and encouraging walking and cycling for destination or recreational purposes, or
through the provision of formal and informal recreational and sports facilities.
Access to, and engagement with, the natural environment is associated with
numerous positive health outcomes, including improved physical and mental
health and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, risk of mortality and chronic
conditions. Evidence suggests that living in close proximity to green spaces can
improve health regardless of social class. "
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