New takeaways banned in most parts of city

Newcastle City Council said no new takeaways could open near schools where more than 10% of Year 6 pupils were obese

New takeaways will be banned from opening in most areas of a city in a bid to tackle rising obesity levels.

Newcastle City Council said it would not allow new food outlets to open near schools where more than 10% of Year 6 pupils were obese - currently every area of the city, apart from Gosforth and South Jesmond.

The authority said the city centre's retail core would be exempt from the rule.

City council leader, Nick Kemp, said the new restrictions would also help keep streets cleaner by reducing the amount of litter from takeaway packaging.

Recent plans to open a McDonald’s near Kenton School and a Burger King on Westgate Road prompted backlashes from local communities, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Labour cabinet member Alex Hay, told a civic centre meeting that 29% of children in the city were overweight or obese, compared to 22.7% across England.

Mr Hay warned obesity was worse in the deprived areas of the city

He also warned that the problem was of "greatest concern in the more deprived" areas of the city.

Figures published last year revealed that 47% of children in Walker were overweight or obese, compared to 18.9% just a few miles away in North Jesmond.

A report to the cabinet said that preventing more takeaways from opening would offer opportunities to "create more choice", including options for healthier eating.

It added the while hot food takeaways "provide economic and employment opportunities", they "encouraged" unhealthy food choices.