Health watchdog urges new homes away from roads

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has called for new housing to be built away from roads. In guidance on town planning, the watchdog says planning permission should be refused to developments that do not mitigate air pollution, and new buildings should be designed to avoid the need to arrive by car. The advice also says schools, nurseries and care homes should not be built in areas of high pollution, and buildings should incorporate trees on the roof and “green walls.”