Hot Food Takeaways: Planning a route to healthier communities

Despite there being national targets for obesity reduction, there is only so much local councils can do with their existing powers. The report also calls for a series of actions to be explored on planning, design and licensing to tackle child obesity. These include:

• National Government support for local areas to increase the adoption of planning restrictions, and defend existing policies by critiquing evidence regularly submitted by fast food chains.
• Explore the impact of restrictions on the sale of unhealthy food to under 16s before 6pm on school days.
• Explore the potential for a license to sell unhealthy food outside of these opening hours. Both would encourage businesses to reformulate their offer, or contribute to local authorities’ capacity to provide this support.
• Reviewing residential space standards to ensure houses have sufficient space for food preparation, cooking, dining and storage.

Contents

Foreword
Summary
Why control hot food takeaways
National Planning Context

• Planning policy framework
• Devolved nations
• Health objectives
• Sustainable Food Cities

Experience of Local Planning Authorities

• Planning policy
• Supplementary Planning Documents
• A strategic approach
• Local evidence
• Planning applications for change of use
• Effectiveness

Recommendations: next steps for local authorities, government, campaigners and organisations to take the healthy path

• Next steps for Councils
• Next steps for Government
• Next steps for our partners

Case Studies
Key terms
Endnotes