Hot food takeaway requirements

Please note since this guidance note was produced the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been updated. Please refer to paragraph 97 of the NPPF December 2024 to view the update.

The Council has produced a guidance note and checklist that provides further information to assist applicants in addressing the requirements of Local Plan (Part One) policy SOC 5 Health and wellbeing and Local Plan (Part Two) policy DM 29 Health impacts of new development. It aims to provide additional insight into the health considerations used to assess a planning application and explains what information is needed to demonstrate that requirements of the above policies will be met. Submission of this information will help avoid delays during the application process. The guidance note covers hot food takeaways (for the sale of hot food where consumption of that food is mostly undertaken off the premises) and mixed-use developments including hot food takeaways. This includes applications for new uses and variations to existing conditions. It is aimed at those involved in preparing and submitting a relevant planning application and those involved in the determination of applications.

The guidance note addresses the information that will be required to demonstrate the development proposal will meet the health and well-being needs of our residents and positively contribute to the health of the borough as required by policy DM 29. The note looks at four factors: proximity to secondary schools, childhood obesity, multiple depravity, and concentration of hot food takeaways premises.

400m exclusion zones have been identified around secondary schools and colleges that are in a Ward of high childhood obesity. Planning applications for hot food takeaways within these zones are unlikely to be supported. Outside those exclusion zones, the other factors will be considered.

To help us to assess your planning application against the policy and avoid any delays you will need to submit the following information to support your application:

  • Location map identifying surrounding hot food take away uses
  • A statement setting out whether the application site is within a Ward of high childhood obesity and an area of high Multiple Deprivation
  • An assessment of Odour and Noise that is compliant with BS4142
  • Site plan detailing the type and location of waste storage

The Hot food takeaways guidance note explains all of these requirements in more detail.