The continued support of Day Centres is crucial to the wellbeing and health of the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Their provision should be included in any local plan. They are surely cost effective in terms of reducing the mental health impacts of loneliness.
The community acquisition of the Railway Arms could provide a tremendous example of how a pub can become the hub of a community with mother and toddler groups, repair shops, a sensory garden, games for children and teenagers, community events and celebrations, book clubs... The UDC should factor this potential into planning decisions and support such community projects where pubs are liable to closure around all the villages of Uttlesford as a way of promoting health and wellbeing.
Churches and church halls should be designed as flexible spaces for use every day of the week, as the Baptist Church is in Saffron Walden. Grants should assist them to become energy efficient or to support the removal of pews to create flexible spaces.
The 15 minute community concept must be applied in planning such that facilities that promote social cohesion, community activities and support for the lonely are within 15 minutes walk of the vast majority of Uttlesford residents.
Green spaces are vital to our physical and mental wellbeing. Paths should be well maintained, and those closest to village centres to be of a quality that enable the elderly to negotiate them safely. Designated walks could be created in every village. They should start near toilet provision and include plenty of seating en route.
Where a developer is providing green spaces and playing fields, they should install a ground source/geothermal heating system, in conjunction with a community energy company to provide clean, cheap energy to the houses in the development.
Public green spaces should permit exercise classes to operate free of charge or at a nominal cost. Currently no bootcamp or exercise class can operate on Saffron Common because the fees are prohibitive. It should be full of yoga classes, tai chi classes for the elderly, circuit training classes etc, which generate the best health returns when they are professionally led. But this immediately attracts charges that don't fit the tight margins of the business. This needs to change.