What are other approaches in planning to promote a healthier food environment?

Whilst exclusion zones are the most commonly used measure to limit the proliferation of certain less healthy establishments, such as hot food takeaways, they are not the only approach that local authorities can and should take to promote a healthier food environment and address hot food takeaway proliferation (1). Timing of implementing planning measures is key in preventing the proliferation of less healthy uses.

Planning policy measures which can be used as a Planning Condition include:

Anti-clustering

1. Restricting the number of hot food takeaway premises that may operate in a row to promote diversity and choice. For example a maximum of 3, or the percentage of premises given over to hot food takeaways in a centre, high street or local shopping parade, for example between 5% and 20% of retail space. Bradford Metropolitan District Council adopted a hot food takeaway supplementary planning document in 2014, which includes “the existence of similar types of hot food takeaways adjacent or in close proximity to the application site” as an important material consideration in determining proposals for hot food takeaways (2)

Restricting location

1. Only allowing hot food takeaway applications in specific shopping areas, for example established shopping streets, parades and shopping centres
2. Mobile food outlets, which often sell high fat, salt and sugar foods, are not covered by planning regulations. These outlets can be controlled through environmental health or licensing teams instead. For example, they may be controlled via the introduction of street trading policies which restrict fast food vans from trading near schools

Applying childhood obesity targets to planning permission

1. Using data on childhood obesity prevalence as a material consideration. In Gateshead, the Council have used this approach to refuse planning permission for new hot food takeaway outlets in wards where there are high levels of obesity (3). The Gateshead case study is covered in more detail in Week 4.

Restricting opening times

1. Planning permission may be granted for a less healthy establishment, but with conditions that restrict opening times. For example, a hot food takeaway near a school may have restricted opening at lunchtimes or at the end of the school day, to discourage use by school children. Salford City Council’s hot food takeaway supplementary planning document includes material considerations to prevent counter service before 5pm Monday to Friday in hot food takeaways located in close proximity to secondary schools in line with research that indicates secondary school pupils leave school premises at lunch time (5)

Aligning with other local policy objectives

1. Enforcement on other non-health related planning issues, such as noise, odour, storage of waste, litter, and traffic considerations. For instance, environmental health and licensing teams work with hot food takeaway businesses on food safety and standards, and to minimise the potential for statutory nuisance(6). Halton Borough Council’s hot food takeaway supplementary planning document outlines material considerations to prevent the proliferation of hot food takeaways within close proximity to residential areas to reduce the impact on noise, odours, traffic disturbance and litter (7)

Embedding healthier food initiatives within the local plan

1. Include healthier catering initiatives within the local plan to improve the nutritional quality of food provided by caterers and food businesses. The Healthier Catering Commitment Scheme is a London-wide commitment to reducing the levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar in food sold across London. For example, the London Borough of Lewisham’s local plan states “where proposals for uses involving the service of food and drink are acceptable in principle, a condition will be sought requiring the operator to achieve and operate in compliance with the Healthier Catering Commitment Standard” (8), (9).

Restricting outdoor food advertising

1. Restricting outdoor food advertising can reduce the influence on people’s food preferences toward less healthy foods. Transport for London and other cities are adopting measures to restrict the promotion of less healthy foods high in fat, salt and sugar through advertising (10), (11).