Health Impact Assessments
A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a practical approach used to evaluate the impacts a proposed development may have on the health and wellbeing of different groups of people.
The findings of HIAs are used to make recommendations to decision makers as to how any positive health impacts of a particular scheme may be increased and any negative impacts reduced.
When is a HIA required?
Policy DC3 of the Darlington Borough Local Plan 2016 – 2036 requires, in the case of development of 150 or more homes, and all other non-residential major development, the submission of a Health Impact Assessment as part of the application to explain how health considerations have informed the design.
Guidance Documents
Our guidance is divided into three parts:
- Development Guidance Note
- Comprehensive Health Impact Assessment Tool
- Ward Level Health Themes Table
The Development Guidance Note [pdf document] contains further information on what a HIA is, the principles that should be applied when developing one, and suggestions on best practice guidance that can be used to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of a development.
The Comprehensive Health impact Assessment Tool [pdf document] provides a pdf matrix that can be used as the basis for creating a Health Impact Assessment to submit with a planning application for a major development.
The Ward Level Health Themes Table [pdf document] has been produced by the Public Health Team and provides an overview of health and wellbeing priorities in Darlington’s council wards. This can be used to focus HIAs on particular issues, but should not be used to screen out lesser health and wellbeing issues.