93% want ban on takeaways near schools

The council, which launched the consultation on hot food takeaway shops in October, is basing this percentage on last Friday's (5 December) figures, but is currently still in the process of looking at the responses. The consultation outlined that new takeaways including fried chicken outlets, burger bars and kebab shops would be prevented from opening within 400 metres of schools and parks under tough new planning guidelines. The aim of the proposal was to also limit the number of fast food outlets that can be opened in town centres and shopping parades and restrict their opening hours. A spokesman for the council said that if they do decide to proceed with the ban, they expect to have something in place around February/March 2009. Council leader Clyde Loakes said: "We have hundreds of fast food outlets in the borough, and there is a big issue to do with our children's health." He continued: "We are trying to encourage them not to go out round lunchtime so they have a school meal or packed lunch." Speaking at the consultation, Loakes said: "We don't want to tell people how to live their lives - but at the moment residents simply don't have enough choice because of the amount of fast food takeaways. "We're sure our residents will agree with what we are trying to do. This is the first step in ensuring our town centres are more attractive places to visit by making them cleaner, safer and providing a better mix of shops, cafes and restaurants." However, according to The BBC, Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses, was unhappy about the outcome of the consultation. He commented on how he views takeaways: "They serve the community. The serve that important night-time economy, which is [worth] over £15-20bn to the High Street." Alambritis continued: "It should be all about competition and about the consumer deciding where to go and not councils deciding for them where a fish and chip shop or a Chinese takeaway should be established." Waltham Forest is believed to be the first local authority in Britain to introduce new laws to restrict the opening of fast food restaurants. The consultation also covered issues such as litter, safety, crime and anti-social behaviour, and highway safety.