PLANS to turn a former convenience store into a Domino's pizza takeaway within a 400-metre 'exclusion zone' of nearby schools have been refused as it would conflict with the council's bid to "reduce childhood obesity".

Proposals to change the use of the former Sherdley News & Booze on Mill Lane, Sutton Leach, into a takeaway on the ground floor and a three-bedroom residential flat on the first floor were sent to the local authority.

Plans stated the ground floor would include a customer area at the front, a limited amount of seating; kitchen, office and wash up area towards the centre and staff welfare and storage areas towards the back with a refuse store at the rear of the takeaway.

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The plans noted that Sherdley Primary School "is approximately 235 metres east of the site although the walking distance is much further at 350 metres" and that Sutton Academy secondary school "is approximately 300 metres (350 metres' walking distance) north west of the site".

These are both within the 400-metre 'exclusion' zone which prevents takeaway premises being permitted outside of St Helens and Earlestown town centres.

The plans received numerous letters of objection from residents with concerns including proximity to the schools, a nursing home and worries over potential litter problems being caused.

A design and access statement drawn up by Pegasus Group, on behalf of the applicants DPSK Ltd, made reference to a previous planning application for a takeaway on Park Road, Fingerpost which was approved by the council in 2020.

It said: "The proposals were approved on the basis that the site would bring a vacant unit back into use and despite the fact that the site was within 400 metres of a primary school.

"It was considered by the case officer that the proposed opening hours (after 4pm) would mean that there would be no harmful impact on the school pupils and therefore the proposals were acceptable".

The application added that the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Hot Food Takeaways (which implemented the 400m 'exclusion zones') was adopted in June 2011 "which predates the current (NPPF) National Planning Policy Framework (2019)" and claims it is therefore not "up to date".

Plans for a Dominos were submitted

Plans for a Domino's were submitted

It added local planning authorities "should create policies that are flexible enough to accommodate needs not anticipated in the plan and to allow a rapid response to changes in economic circumstances".

The document added: "In reality, a young person of school age would be unlikely to purchase food from a takeaway operation such as Domino's Pizza".

However, planning officers refused the application and said allwoing the premises would be "contrary" to the council's efforts to "reduce the rate of childhood obesity".

A decision notice said: "The proposed development falls within the 400 metre radius of ‘hot food takeaway exclusion zone’ for Sherdley Primary School (c.300m) and Sutton Academy (c350m).

"To allow the proposal would be contrary with paragraph 91 in the NPPF and the council’s SPD Hot Food Takeaway and its efforts to establish healthy eating habits and reduce the rate of childhood obesity in the borough."