Planning inspector rules that proposed fried chicken takeaway shop is too close to school to be permitted

                                              

The Havelock Academy which is within walking distance of the property earmarked to be a fast food takeaway shop

THERE has been a serious setback for a fast food entrepreneur who wanted to establish a fried chicken meals takeaway shop on the corner of Wellington Street and Stanley Street in Grimsby.

When his application for planning consent was refused by North East Lincolnshire Council, Sanjeeth Manotheesan lodged an appeal with the independent planning inspectorate.

But Graham Wraight, the planning inspector, has come down in favour of the council by dismissing the appeal.

The crux of the matter appears to have been the proximity of the building to Havelock Academy for some of whose pupils the takeaway meals might have been an option - and perhaps not a particularly healthy one.

Says the inspector in his report published earlier this month:  "National planning policy states that local planning authorities should refuse applications for hot food takeaways and fast food outlets within walking distance of schools and other places where children and young people congregate unless the location is within a designated town centre.  

"In this instance, there is secondary school provision within 400 metres of the appeal site, and the appeal site does not fall within a designated town centre. 

"There is also a park and youth centre nearby. 

"While it is proposed that there would be one or two tables for customers to sit, the description includes reference to hot food for consumption off the premises, and it is likely that a considerable portion of sales would be the takeaway of hot food."  

The report continues: "The appellant considers that no potential harm to children from the appeal proposal has been demonstrated. 

"However, the harm arises on health grounds in respect of the type of food usually sold by hot food takeaways and the proximity of  the appeal site to the school and other spaces that young people frequent. 

"In their reference to limiting the number of pupils allowed on the premises at any given time, the appellant tacitly accepts that the proposal would be used by children. 

"The link between what is described as being a fried chicken shop and unhealthy eating habits in children is self-apparent."  

* In a separate decision, the same inspector has come down on the side of another appellant by allowing a detached building, understood to be used as a gym, to be retained at 22 The Curve, off Welhome Avenue, Grimsby. He rejected the view of NELC planners who had refused to grant retrospective planning permission on the grounds that the building might be harmful to adjacent trees.