Hackbridge been picked to take part in a healthy living project.
Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust's Healthy Hackbridge pilot is a preventative programme aimed at encouraging people to be a healthy weight.
It is not the first time the area has been picked to be first in a new trial: BedZed, a Sutton Council and Bioregional initiative, is already the UK's largest carbon-neutral eco-community.
The BedZed initiative forms part of Sutton Council's broader aims to transform Hackbridge into the UK's first sustainable suburb.
One Planet Hackbridge includes the building of new environmentally-friendly homes, the improvement of sustainable transport, water and habitats and a a strategy for open spaces and streets.
SMPCT consultant in public health Fiona Harris said Hackbridge was chosen, because of its links to the One Planet Living Project.
Hackbridge also has higher levels of reported obesity, cardiovascular disease and smoking, she said.
She said: “There is a lot of work being done at the moment in Hackbridge to make it a sustainable suburb and that's one of the reasons why we wanted to carry out the pilot here.
“We carried out consultation with residents in April and found people in Hackbirdge were aware of healthy eating messages, but they often lacked skills, confidence or knowledge to put them into action.
“There were also barriers in terms of lack of local facilities such as leisure centres and nearby greengrocers and travel time and money in getting to these places.
“We're looking at working with schools and community groups to make activities accessible for everyone. We would like to roll the project out in the future.”
A master plan for Hackbridge includes proposals for more than 1,000 new energy efficient homes, buildings powered by energy saving technology and roads, pavements and bridges more improved to encourage walk, cycling and public transport.
Independent St Helier councillor David Theobald said: “It is good for Hackbridge, but what about St Helier? I'd like to see something here instead, we're one of the poorest wards.”
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