Council proposes controls on fast-food outlets

Fast-food outlets will not be able to open within 400 metres of schools, parks and youth centres under a first-of-a-kind planning regime proposed by Waltham Forest Council.

The North East London planning authority has begun consulting on a suite of development control policies which would also restrict the number of fast-food outlets within primary, secondary and retail parade zones.

Under consideration are plans for a ceiling on outlets in a town centre where the policy stipulates that only five per cent of retail units can be fast food outlets. Outside town centres no two outlets should be closer than 400 metres.

These proposals, alongside strict enforcement of rules on waste, noise and odours, have been drawn up by the council’s spatial planning unit following a consultation exercise which revealed that residents disliked the noise, litter and anti-social behaviour associated with outlets.

Council leader councillor Clyde Loakes said: "There are more than enough fast food outlets in this borough and we want to stop any more from opening."

He added: "Our residents have told us that these types of rules are important for the future of the borough... We don't want to tell them how to live their lives but we do want to give them the widest possible choice in what they can eat."

Read the Waltham Forest Council press release.

Roger Milne

23 October 2008

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