Takeaway rejected over child obesity concerns

A report found the shop "appears to be operating as a hot food takeaway" without authorisation

Plans for a takeaway serving hot food have been rejected over concerns it would increase child obesity in the area.

Sunderland City Council blocked plans from applicant Al Forno Express, who wanted to serve food from a shop unit in Tunstall Village Road, Silksworth.

The council said the unit was "within a 400m radius" of New Silksworth Academy and St Leonards Catholic Primary School and within the Silksworth ward where childhood obesity levels exceeded thresholds set out in council policy.

A report also found the unit "appears to be operating as a hot food takeaway" but that "such a use is unauthorised for planning purposes". The applicant can appeal.

Council planning documents noted the site was previously a dog grooming salon and, in recent years, a separate bid to operate a hot food takeaway from the site for a "temporary period of two years" was rejected.

The council said it was increasingly concerned about the number of hot food takeaways in the city.

The latest childhood obesity data for Silksworth from the National Child Measuring Programme recorded the year six level at 28.8% and reception year level at 15.3%, exceeding the thresholds of 21% for year six pupils and 10% for reception pupils.

Refusing the plans, the council said the takeaway was "unacceptable in principle" as it clashed with policies which "aim to achieve healthy places which enable and support healthy lifestyles".

There were also concerns about the unit's extraction and air conditioning system, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A health officer said the application did not show that it would "adequately deal with odours from food preparation and cooking" and noise concerns.

The applicant has the right to challenge the council's refusal decision by lodging an appeal with the Secretary of State.