A SIXTH takeaway on just a 60-yard stretch of one town centre street is set to be created after plans were approved by the council earlier this week despite its own public health team objecting to the application.
There are currently five takeaways on Wellington Street, all within a 30-second walk of one another.
An application was submitted to the planning board earlier this year to add a sixth and despite a report admitting the ‘cluster’ of fast food outlets in the town centre, the plans were given the green light earlier this week.
The council’s hot food takeaway planning advice states that proposals for hot food takeaways in a ward where more than 32 per cent of ten to 11 year olds are classed as having ‘excess weight’ is likely to conflict with aims.
In the Central ward, that figure stands at 34.9 per cent.
But council bosses say the takeaway is more likely to be used by adults.
A report states: “The proposed development would see an additional hot food takeaway created in the Central ward, taking the total amount in this ward to 41 based on 2018 Barnsley Council local data sources.
“Whilst there is a localised concentration and clustering of such uses on Wellington Street, it is not considered that the proposal would materially or detrimentally impact the character, function or vitality of the frontage or the wider town centre.
“The proposal would not impact a primary shopping frontage and is located away from the main retail and leisure core of the town centre which is now centred around the Glass Works.
“In addition, Wellington Street is identified as an area within Barnsley town centre where late night uses are encouraged.
“Whilst the proposal would not constitute a late-night use, existing public house and bar uses on Wellington Street would.
“As such, the proposed takeaway would be located in an area of Barnsley town centre that is more likely to attract footfall from adults rather than children.”
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, told the Chronicle: “Public health have objected to the proposed takeaway on Wellington Street, citing concerns over childhood obesity and the existing high number of takeaways in the area.
“However, these concerns are based on statistical data that are not currently reflected in the council’s adopted planning policies.
“The proposal is situated within a designated town centre, where such uses are expected and supported by both national planning policies and the Local Plan.
“While the presence of other takeaways in the area is acknowledged, the specific merits of this application do not indicate a cumulatively significant negative impact.
“In the absence of any identified planning harm, the proposal is considered acceptable in principle and planning permission has been subsequently granted.”
