The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) is supporting today’s announced reforms to the planning system to protect children’s health by preventing new hot food takeaways from opening where children learn and play, or where they may affect the health of local communities. As the Chief Medical Officer for England’s Annual report (also out today) states, ‘The food environment in parts of cities entrenches inequalities in health and promotes obesity’ and ‘Public health and planning are intrinsically linked [i].
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF – see notes) previously only required councils to “enable and support healthy lifestyles.” However, this new policy contains an explicit direction to ‘prioritise preventing ill-health’, giving councils responsibility and power to act in the best interests of their communities, and on takeaways states:
Local planning authorities should refuse applications for hot food takeaways and fast food outlets:
a) within walking distance of schools and other places where children and young people congregate, unless the location is within a designated town centre; or
b) in locations where there is evidence that a concentration of such uses is having an adverse impact on local health, pollution or anti-social-behaviour.
The policy announcement has been reported in The Times, 13th December 2024, by George Greenwood – Councils given powers to ban takeaways near schools.
Background:
Areas of deprivation have a heavy concentration of hot food takeaway concentrating on a limited range of products high in fat, sugar and salt, a high density of advertising of unhealthy foods and limited shopping opportunities[ii]. In areas of deprivation:
- Children are twice as likely to develop obesity by age five and one in three do so by the time they leave primary school.
- There are up to five times more fast-food outlets than wealthier areas, limiting access to healthier food options[iii]
- Research shows exposure to more takeaways is associated with unhealthy dietary habits[iv].
Food from hot food takeaways typically contains more calories, sugar, salt, and fat than food purchased in supermarkets, with portion sizes often larger[v]. Evidence from England highlights that takeaways near schools are convenient, affordable options for pupils, but that they contribute to unhealthy dietary habits and rising obesity rates[vi].
A study in one area in North-East England led by researchers from Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, at Teesside University showed that a new fast-food outlet led to more visits by 11- to 16-year-olds. This increase was significant within 3 to 9 months of opening, and more young people reported visiting fast-food places on weekdays during this period compared to before it opened[vii].
Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that using exclusion zones (eg not within 400 meters of a school) may curb the proliferation of new takeaways near schools and subsequently impact on population health, with modelling suggesting it would reduce the prevalence of obesity by 1.5 to 2.3 percentage points by 2040 and lead to reductions in incidence of weight (BMI)-related diseases, the largest being in type 2 diabetes[viii].
The same research team modelled the economic impact, and results suggest that takeaway management zones are associated with net economic benefits to local authorities, despite policymakers’ concerns and industry objections regarding potential economic losses. These results are mainly explained by the relatively low economic contribution of takeaways on the high street and the relatively high economic contribution of potential alternative uses of the retail space[ix]
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said:
“Every child deserves a healthy, happy start to life.
“Giving local authorities the powers to block applications for unhealthy takeaways near schools puts children’s health first and stops fast food giants targeting pupils. This is just one action we are taking to give children the best start in life and protect their health.”
Katharine Jenner, Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, says: “The government and the Chief Medical Officer for England have recognised that the food environment entrenches inequalities and promotes obesity, instead of promoting good health. This must change.
“We know that not all children are equally at risk—fast food outlets are disproportionately clustered in the most deprived parts of the country, where children are twice as likely to develop obesity by the time they leave primary school. These communities face up to five times more fast food outlets than wealthier areas, making healthy choices harder and widening health inequalities.
“Empowering local councils to create healthier food environments is crucial. Local leaders in areas like Gateshead are already showing exceptional leadership in tackling the harms of our broken food system. Their actions should inspire both local and national governments to follow suit.”
Alice Wiseman, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), and Director of Public Health for Gateshead and Newcastle says “The vast majority of people, parents and grandparents, want us to protect children from junk food in their local area, but action, at a local level, is often hampered at every turn. Finally, we have a signal from the very top of government that local leaders can create a healthy food environment. Rather than treating obesity once it’s there. We look forward to going further and faster to stop the devastating consequences of diet-related ill health.”
Professor Jean Adams, Professor of Dietary Public Health, MRC Epidemiology Unit, the University of Cambridge says: “Our NIHR-funded research on takeaway management zones around schools, led by Tom Burgoine, found that these can curb the proliferation of new takeaways, lead to a reduction in obesity prevalence, have net economic benefits to the local and national economy, and are acceptable to adults and young people. More support to help local authorities implement these zones should help create healthier places in which communities can thrive.”
Helen Kirrane, Head of Policy and Campaigns and Diabetes UK, said: “Diagnoses of type 2 diabetes among children and young people are rising year-on-year. These proposed reforms would help address this alarming trend, giving our children a far better chance of growing up in good health.”
Professor Amelia Lake, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, Teesside University & Associate Director of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, says:“Food environments shape our behaviours. Our research, over 20 years, has consistently shown the breadth of influence of these environments on the food behaviours of children and young people. Our research has explored how we can use the planning system to shape healthier environments.
“Professionals from different disciplines across some local authorities have been using planning levers to shape their local food environments. We have great examples of this – such as Gateshead. Our research showed that Gateshead’s planning approach reduced the density of fast-food outlets as well as reducing overweight and obesity in children in more deprived areas”.[x][xi]
“This new policy direction is very welcome and will ensure that across the country, planning teams in local authorities are focused on healthier planning giving all populations more opportunity to live healthier lives.”
Rizwan, 16-year-old Youth Activist at Bite Back says: “What surrounds us shapes us, and young people deserve better surroundings. It’s not right that fast food dominates our high streets and pops up by our school gates. If there aren’t any healthy options, you really feel trapped. I believe a world is possible where healthy, affordable options flourish across our communities, so I’m pleased the Government is taking steps to help our streets be healthy places for young people.”
Fran Bernhardt, Commercial Determinants of health Coordinator, Sustain says, “Every child should be able to grow up healthy, no matter which neighbourhood they’re from. Planning policy is incredibly important. It determines the kind of food we grow, whether our high streets are flooded with unhealthy food, and whether people have space to grow and cook food. If new developments are creating neighbourhoods where children are swamped with unhealthy food, it puts them at higher risk of food related ill health like type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease. We welcome the Government’s ambition to prioritise children’s health and look forward to seeing the details.”
Malcolm Clark, Senior Prevention Policy Manager, Cancer Research UK, says: “Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the likelihood of developing cancers associated with overweight and obesity later in life so acting early is crucial. But we know that some people face more barriers to eating healthily than others.
“These restrictions on the opening of new hot food takeaways near schools are another step towards creating a healthier environment for every child, and driving a generational shift in cancer prevention in England.”
John Maingay, Director of Policy and Influencing at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Preventing hot food takeaways opening near schools could help make our communities healthier places to live, with more deprived parts of the country standing to benefit the most. Sadly, children living with obesity are much more likely to live with obesity as adults, which means a greater risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases in later life. To be most effective at helping reduce our stubbornly high obesity rates, this welcome guidance must be part of a comprehensive approach to make healthier food accessible to all.”
End
Contact
Katharine Jenner 07740553298 kat.jenner@obesityhealthalliance.org.uk
Notes
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) National Policy Planning Framework
Chapter 8: Promoting healthy and safe communities
- Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which a) promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other – for example through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood centres, street layouts that allow for easy pedestrian and cycle connections within and between neighbourhoods, and active street frontages; b) are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion – for example through the use of well-designed, clear and legible pedestrian and cycle routes, and high quality public space, which encourage the active and continual use of public areas; and c) enable and support healthy lives, through both promoting good health and preventing ill-health, especially where this would address identified local health and well-being needs and reduce health inequalities between the most and least deprived communities – for example through the provision of safe and accessible green infrastructure, sports facilities, local shops, access to healthier food, allotments and layouts that encourage walking and cycling.
- Local planning authorities should refuse applications for hot food takeaways and fast food outlets: a) within walking distance of schools and other places where children and young people congregate, unless the location is within a designated town centre; or b) in locations where there is evidence that a concentration of such uses is having an adverse impact on local health, pollution or anti-social-behaviour.
Obesity Health Alliance – Empowering Communities to Create Healthier Local Food Environments Position Statement
A 2024 YouGov poll of 2,273 UK adults revealed over half (52%) support a ban on any new hot food takeaways from opening in the same area.
OHA Recommendations
The current reforms to the NPPF present a unique opportunity to ensure the planning system supports healthier communities. The OHA is urging the government to:
- Prohibit New Takeaways Opening Near Schools: Introduce a clear directive to restrict new applications near schools and in areas with high obesity and deprivation rates.
- Strengthen the NPPF: Make preventing ill health and reducing health inequalities a core purpose of the planning system.
- Empower Local Authorities: Provide councils with guidance, training, and resources to prioritise public health and combat legal challenges from fast-food corporations.
- Create Healthier Food Environments: Encourage policies that reduce unhealthy food outlets and increase access to healthier options.
References
[i] Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2024 Health in Cities The full report can be downloaded here ‘The food environment in parts of cities entrenches inequalities in health and promotes obesity. Healthy food deserts combine with junk food advertising to set children and adults up to live a shorter and unhealthier life through obesity and the diseases it causes, particularly in the more deprived areas of our cities. Changes will need to be tailored to local needs and food choices.’
[ii] CMO report 2024 The full report can be downloaded here
[iii] Goffe L, Rushton S, White M, Adamson A, Adams J. Relationship between mean daily energy intake and frequency of consumption of out-of-home meals in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2017;14(1):131. https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-017-0589-5
[iv] Turbott, C et al, 2019. J Public Health. The impact of hot food takeaways near schools in the UK on childhood obesity: a systematic review of the evidence https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29590382/
[v] PHE (2017) Health matters: obesity and the food environment https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-obesity-and-the-food-environment/health-matters-obesity-and-the-food-environment–2
[vi] Turbott, C. University of Plymouth (2018) The impact of hot food takeaways near schools in the UK on childhood obesity: A systematic review of the evidence. https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context=nm-research
[vii] Moore, H et al, 2024. Appetite. Measuring the association between the opening of a new multi-national restaurant with young people’s eating behaviours https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666324004549
[viii] Rogers, N et al.2024. BMC Medicine. Health impacts of takeaway management zones around schools in six different local authorities across England: a public health modelling study using PRIMEtime. https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03739-8
[ix] Derbyshire, D et al. 2024. SSRN. The Economic Impacts of Local Authority Takeaway Management Zones around Schools https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4898080
[x] Brown, H et al, Social Science & Medicine 2022. No new fast-food outlets allowed! Evaluating the effect of planning policy on the local food environment in the North East of England: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622004324?via%3Dihub
[xi] Ziang, H et al, 2024. Obesity. Planning policies to restrict fast food and inequalities in child weight in England: a quasi-experimental analysis https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.24127