Consultation Opens Into Newcastle Takeaway Ban Near Schools

Published 3rd Dec 2015

Takeaways across Newcastle could be banned from opening within 400 metres of local schools.

Newcastle City Council say a consultation on the issue is running from December 4th 2015 to 15th January 2016.

The draft Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) aims to limit the impact of noise, littering and anti-social behaviour which can be associated with takeaways, as well as tackling obesity in the city.

Ged Downey is supporting the idea, as he campaigns against plans for a McDonalds to be built near Kenton School in the city.

He told Metro Radio if plans did go ahead they would have concerns for the safety and health of pupils.

"The McDonalds food that they market directly to teenagers, which is their value range, is cheaper than school dinners. There will be the temptation for children. Children are notoriously bad at making decisions about what they should eat and when they should eat it."

We got in touch with the fast food chain who released this statement:

“We remain confident that a new restaurant here will see positive investment in the area, create new jobs and demonstrate our long term commitment to the Newcastle area. We remain in the planning process and continue to work through the details which emerge relating to this site. As we continue to gather evidence in readiness to submit to the planning inspectorate, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”