British Land has joined forces with NHS England as part of its ground-breaking partnership with some of the country’s top housing developers and associations and signed up to the Healthy New Towns Network. The network aims to improve the health of the nation by collaborating with housing developers and associations to create healthier places that offer the choices and chances of living well. This includes tech-enabled homes to help elderly residents, integrated gyms and dementia friendly streets, parks and neighbourhoods.

Along with the other housing developer and associations we have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding, pledging our commitment to prioritising health and wellbeing in the planning, development and management of new housing developments and regeneration schemes, including Canada Water.

The places we live in have a significant impact on our mental and physical health, and British Land recognises the vital role that good quality housing and public realm has to play in tackling health inequalities in the areas where we build. In fact, a new report, ‘A Design for Life’, which was commissioned by British Land, says that improving mental health and wellbeing in our cities could have significant and positive impacts in several ways, including boosting productivity in the workplace, reducing absenteeism and bringing down the NHS and welfare bills. That’s why it’s so central to our approach at Canada Water, where the Masterplan has been designed to encourage active travel and living, as well as spaces that encourage social interaction. We have also committed space for the provision of a new health centre. Explore our proposals here.

Find out more about the network by visiting its website.