Weymouth school can't stop CHIP SHOP being built because obesity levels are below average
They aren't able to challenge it on health grounds as
A school is unable to prevent a chip shop from being built on health grounds because local children's obesity levels are below the national average.
The application to build the new takeaway outlet opposite Budmouth College in Weymouth, Dorset, can't be rejected as children in the local area are healthier than average.
School leaders, local councillors and parents have slammed the decision as they believe its arrival will increase obesity statistics.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that local authorities restrict planning permission for takeaways and other fast food outlets in specific areas, especially within walking distance of schools.
Plans to build a takeaway outlet opposite Budmouth College in Weymouth have sparked outrage from locals
Shamima Islam, a parent of a student at Budmouth College, said: 'It is a huge concern. The kids are going to go straight there.'
Another parent said: 'If the reason for approving this fish and chip shop is because our children aren't fat then this will soon reverse that.'
Recent NHS statistics show that a third of children entering secondary school are obese or overweight and the school says having a takeaway so close to them could contribute to the problem.
There were 440,288 admissions to England's hospitals in 2014/15 where obesity was the main reason for a person being admitted or was a secondary factor.
David Bone, director of human relations and finance at Budmouth College, said: 'As a school, there are stringent nutritional guidelines with regard to the choices students have for both lunch and break time snacks.
'With the introduction of a fast food outlet so close to the college, there are greater opportunities for them to access "unhealthy" snacks and so directly contribute to childhood obesity.'
Elspeth Turner, a local councillor, said: 'I don't think fish and chips or fast food which is attractive to young people should be quite as close to schools as this one will be.
'Parents, schools and the NHS need to work together to try and stop the child obesity crisis.
The fish and chip shop is to be built on the grounds of an old motor garage in the seaside town
'It's not fair on such a healthy school to have something just trying to attract children and make a profit right outside.'
A planning officers' report into the application stated that there was 'insufficient policy' to justify refusing the application on health grounds.
It reads: 'As a whole, Dorset rates of child obesity are lower and physical activity is higher than the national average, and looking at statistics specific to Chickerell, this confirms that child obesity is below the average for England.
'In light of the above, it is not considered that the Local Authority would have a good case at appeal, such that there is insufficient policy to support such a refusal.'