Anti fast food planning guidlines mooted – to avoid noise, litter and anti-social behaviour

New planning guidelines to make it harder to open fast food restaurants in Waltham Forest have been unveiled by the Council.

Residents have six weeks to have their say on the proposals which were drawn up after the Sustainable Community Strategy consultation earlier this year found many people disliked the noise, litter and anti-social behaviour associated with the outlets.

The proposals will prevent chicken shops, burger bars and similar outlets from opening up within 400 metres of schools, parks and youth centres and restrict their opening hours.

There will also be limits on the number of take aways allowed in town centres and it will be made harder for the restaurants to open in residential areas.

There will also be a clamp down on existing businesses to ensure they obey laws about littering, food hygiene, planning and waste disposal.

Speaking at the launch of the public consultation, Council Leader Cllr Clyde Loakes said: 'There are more than enough fast food outlets in this borough and we want to stop any more from opening. Our residents have told us that these types of rules are important for the future of the borough.

'The bottom line is that residents simply don’t have enough choice because of the number of fast food takeaways – we don’t want to tell them how to live their lives but we do want to give them the widest possible choice in what they can eat. We hope our residents agree with what we are trying to do and we can start to make our town centres more attractive places to visit by making them cleaner, safer and providing a better mix of shops, cafes and restaurants.'

Consultation on the new planning proposals will start on October 20. Copies of the new planning guidance for hot food takeaways can be viewed online or in libraries.