Shop takeaway blocked over child obesity fears

The Sunderland shop's owner said it needed to expand its offer to remain viable

Council bosses have blocked a shop's bid for a takeaway service citing childhood obesity and noise concerns.

Premier Store on Eglinton Street in Sunderland wanted to serve cold and hot food for takeaway and delivery, saying the shop was "under threat from globalisation and supermarkets and needs to expand to stay viable".

A public consultation showed support for the plans and there were no objections.

But council planners said the development was "unacceptable in principle" amid high child obesity rates in the area.

Documents noted the store was "within a 400m radius" of the entry to Grange Park Primary School.

The existing policy includes the council "resisting" new hot food takeaways in wards "where the prevalence of childhood obesity is more than 21% for year 6 pupils or 10% for reception pupils".

Data from the National Child Measuring Programme for the Southwick ward recorded the year six level at 28.9% while reception year figures stood at 14.9%, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Council planners said the development was "unacceptable in principle" as it clashed with planning policies which aim to support healthy lifestyles.

The second reason for refusal was over concerns about noise from a new extraction system.