'It's not nanny-statism' - Guidelines to curb takeaways in York defended amid obesity rise

The guidance would typically see applications for new hot food takeaways within walking distance of schools and other places where young people gather refused.

Peter Roderick, City of York Council’s public health lead, said high numbers of takeaways were linked to childhood obesity which could go on to cause heart disease, diabetes and other problems.

Coun Michael Pavlovic, the council’s Labour planning spokesperson, said officials had a responsibility to support healthy living amid controversy over the proposals.

It comes as part of a raft of planning guidance approved amid work on York’s Local Plan for development in the city in the coming years.

The guidance approved on Tuesday, July 7, covering a range of areas including housing and the green belt, also follows changes to national planning policies.

They include calling on councils to refuse applications for new takeaways and fast food restaurants if they are within walking distance of schools or other places where young people congregate.

National planning policies state outlets should be blocked if there is evidence growing numbers of them in areas outside urban centres are harming health and fuelling antisocial behaviour.

Guidance for York approved on Tuesday would see applications typically refused for new takeaways 800m from schools or places such as nurseries, play areas, libraries and parks.

The restrictions would apply outside of York city centre and the district centres of Acomb and Haxby.

Officials stated the 800m distance was roughly equivalent to a 20-minute round trip on foot.

Future applications would be judged based on their potential impact on local health, litter, noise, antisocial behaviour and road safety.

The guidance excludes York city centre and the district centres of Acomb and Haxby.

But the guidance sparked a backlash when it was unveiled, with the council’s opposition Liberal Democrats claiming it would effectively ban new outlets.

Liberal Democrat planning spokesperson Coun Andrew Hollyer said it would hit small, family-run businesses as the amount of schools and other places with young people would rule out swathes of the city.

Council Public Health Director Mr Roderick said the guidance came after data showed obesity rates among Year Six pupils, 10 and 11 year olds, was increasing.

More than a third, 34.7 per cent, of York children that age were obese in 2024/5, up from 28.3 per cent a decade earlier.

Mr Roderick said: “The evidence is clear that children who have access are more likely to have excess weight in adulthood.

“That affects every area of human health and often shortens life, awe also recognise the link between obesity and mental health with the stigma and bullying that comes with it.”

Coun Pavlovic said he welcomed the approach taken to plans for new takeaways.

He said: “Do we have a responsibility to support healthy living? Absolutely, we do.

“Some work argue this is nanny-statism but in my view it’s part of what any public health department in a council should be doing.”