Why Wouldn’t You Build Healthy Homes?
7th April 2025
Dr Rosalie Callway from TCPA joins Jenny to unpack the Healthy Homes Pledge — a 12-point set of principles for safer, healthier, more sustainable housing. With roots in the Garden Cities movement, TCPA continues its mission to reform housing through clarity, legislation, and lived experience.
Key takeaways:
Poor housing makes people ill — it’s not always in the coroner’s report, but the evidence is clear.
Permitted Development Rights often bypass planning, leading to homes in industrial estates with damp, noise, poor insulation, and even asthma in children.
The Healthy Homes Pledge includes non-prescriptive, adaptable principles covering safety, indoor air, overheating, affordability, and more: Read the Pledge & Sign Up
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill risks side-lining quality for speed. TCPA is proposing the Healthy Homes & Communities Amendment — contact your MP to show support.
Retrofits matter: BRE estimates £9bn investment could save £billions in long-term health and economic costs. The Cost of Poor Housing
Check out the Pineapple Awards: Design for healthier homes
Best tip? Build it right, first time. No excuses.