Healthier Place-Making: Implementation of a New Supplementary Planning Document to Improve Amenity Space and Place Quality in a Local Council in London, UK

The impact of the built environment on physical and mental health and wellbeing has been evidenced worldwide. Quality and design affect residents’ wellbeing and physical and mental health outcomes. A local authority planning team in London introduced new guidance to improve the quality of amenity space within residential developments. This paper aims to evaluate the early implementation of this guidance using Normalisation Process Theory. A qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews (n = 34), with a purposive sample of planning staff, applicants, review panel members and organisers and elected officials. Framework analysis was undertaken. All stakeholders perceived the introduction of the new amenity space guidance positively, but views of the planning officer training that accompanied it were more nuanced. Key factors influencing implementation included attitude towards and understanding of the new guidance, use of common language, workload, number of policy and guidance documents and a lack of a guidance template from the beginning. Further contextual barriers included the need for economic viability for developers and affordable housing in the area. To further embed and sustain implementation, it is recommended that the guidance continues to be used in a flexible manner with ongoing training and focused support for both planning officers and planning applicants.