The changes, which went before the Neighbourhood and Environment Scrutiny Committee today and will go to the Executive Committee next week are to tackle concerns about the negative effects of fast food on children’s health and on the impact of takeaways within district centres, especially in areas where there are high numbers or concentrations.
The new recommendations will seek to control the opening times of new takeaways in the vicinity of schools and manage the overall number of takeaways in the city.
By placing restrictions within a 400 metre radius of primary and secondary schools, the council is seeking to promote healthier choices during children’s meal times.
Further proposals would see planners consider a range of potential impacts on residents considered before permission was granted for a new takeaway outlet, to ensure that district centre shop usage is balanced, with a range of different shops open throughout the day.
Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council executive member for the environment, said: “While hot food takeaways are a well-known and popular part of the city’s economy, these proposed changes in planning policy will provide us with another way to try to tackle the problem of obesity among children, while helping to ensure that our district centres remain vibrant, diverse places for people to live, work and socialise.”
