Public health

In relation to the given scenario (below), explore some of the stages involved in a health impact assessment (HIA). Scenario A development company has applied to build 700 new houses over the next 10 years on farmland adjacent to a small, well established, coastal village. The village currently has a population of 1,600 residents and 631 dwellings. There is a mix of local authority and privately owned housing but young people find it difficult to secure housing locally due to both supply and cost. The village has a primary school, a part-time doctor, a butcher, post-office, baker, chemist and general convenience store. There are limited recreational facilities other than those that are naturally occurring i.e. beaches, coastal walks. Many people in the area were employed in the fishing industry, but that has now collapsed and unemployment is presently higher than the national average with many who are employed commuting to larger towns. The village is a traditional fishing village with narrow roads that become heavily congested particularly in the summer season. Links to larger towns are by ‘A’ roads. End