Abstract
This article draws together new research findings with recent evidence, theory and policy developments relating to place-based planning for health and well-being. It considers how neighbourhood planning (NP) can support the advancement of the ageing-well agenda and well-being goals in rural areas of England. We argue that NP can theoretically impact positively on age-friendly objectives (sensitive housing design, downsizing options, social and civic participation), but this is limited without greater incentives and political commitment to integrated policy making. Without due attention, the advancement of ageing well and rural well-being through NP, as currently constructed, will remain a largely missed opportunity.
Highlights
An emphasis on localism in English planning in recent years, coupled with an increasing concern to deliver ‘age-friendly’ communities, offers both an impetus and mechanism for policy to respond to the needs of population ageing at a very local scale
This paper contributes to these debates by exploring the potential role of Neighbourhood Planning (NP) in England, a participatory planning process enabled under the 2011 Localism Act (UK Government, 2011), in supporting people to age well in their community
Research Aim To address this question, we explored how developing a NP might support ageing well, and prompt greater reflection of local need; as well as how NP could be used to influence the shape of local developments to create and sustain rural neighbourhoods as places to live and age well
Summary
An emphasis on localism in English planning in recent years, coupled with an increasing concern to deliver ‘age-friendly’ communities, offers both an impetus and mechanism for policy to respond to the needs of population ageing at a very local scale. We highlight pertinent policy developments alongside recent research and theory on the implementation of NP; and lastly draw on findings from a recent study of how NP in rural England has embraced ageing issues. These topics have not previously been explored overtly (Wargent and Parker, 2018), suggesting that there is a disconnect, or ‘policy myopia’ between ageing and planning policy at this scale, and likely missed opportunities to shape neighbourhoods in ways that support the wellbeing of (ageing) rural communities
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