Takeaway refused under obesity policy

A planned Indian takeaway has become the first in Sandwell to be refused under pioneering planning controls on new fast food restaurants, aimed at beating the borough's obesity crisis.

Developers had hoped to convert 109 Shireland Road, Smethwick, into a sweet centre, pastry and curry takeaway.

Planning chiefs however said it was too close to Shireland Collegiate Academy and adjacent to homes and had to be refused under new policy, which came into force in March.

No new hot takeaways will be allowed to open within 1,300 feet of secondary schools and colleges, under that policy.

The premises was previously a mobile phone shop, and is near a fish and chip shop and Greggs the baker but the policy only applies to new takeaways.

Case officer Mark Stretton said: "No new hot food takeaways are to be permitted where they are directly adjacent to residential development, neither are they to be permitted where the proposed location lies within 1,300 feet of a school entrance.

"The location of the proposed development is unsatisfactory, in that it is within 1,300 feet of the Shireland Collegiate Academy." Councillor Ian Jones, the ruling cabinet's member for jobs and economy, said he believed it was the first application to be refused under the new policy, which fell under his portfolio of interests.

He said: "The appropriateness of certain outlets next to schools was one of the main thrusts behind this policy in the first place.

"We hope it will lead to improvements in the health and lifestyles of children in the borough."

The move follows similar action by Waltham Forest Council in London to cut down on hot food takeaways, The Royal Town Planning Institute said. Inder Thatal, of Design Impact, put in the plans as agent for Jujhar Singh, of Beakes Road, Smethwick.

Mr Thatal, whose business is based on Hugh Road, Smethwick, said he would be appealing the decision.

He added: "Myself and my client are very disappointed. We had talks with the planners before lodging the application and they never mentioned the location next to the school.

We're aggrieved because it has been a waste of time and money because of that so far."

Shireland Collegiate Academy was unavailable for comment.

Planners drew up a list of measures after a rapid increase in the number of outlets across the borough over recent years.