Local Plan health study

A survey of Slough residents’ views on how local neighbourhoods influence their health and wellbeing is now open. 

Slough Borough Council is working with Iceni Projects to better understand how local environments affects residents’ everyday lives. Currently, residents’ health outcomes vary significantly between neighbourhoods and population groups, and environmental conditions impact upon these outcomes. 

For example, Slough has the highest rate of childhood obesity in Southeast England, with access to healthy food, play space and living conditions all having an impact. 

The survey includes questions about aspects of daily life that are known to influence health outcomes, such as access to local services (e.g. libraries, leisure centres, GP practices), use of active transport, access to green spaces and parks, how safe people feel in their neighbourhoods, air quality and noise. 

The findings will help to identify opportunities to support healthier lifestyles and reduce health inequalities across the borough, which is a key council priority.

The evidence gathered will directly inform the new Slough Local Plan, which will guide how the borough develops over the coming years. 

Councillor Ishrat Shah, lead member for public health, wellbeing and equalities, said: “The evidence is being gathered for Slough's Public Health team to support work with the planning department on decisions about new development over the coming years.

“This is part of research to deliver the corporate strategy priorities for ‘a borough for children and young people can thrive’, and ‘a town where residents can live healthier, safer and more independent lives’.”

The survey is completely anonymous and takes about nine minutes to complete. It’s open until 13 April.