Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report giving an update on the position relating to the draft Hot Food Takeaways Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The report set out in detail the background work which had been undertaken by the Council’s Strategic Planning Team in preparing a draft SPD.

It had become apparent that the Government Office West Midlands were unwilling to allow Authorities to use SPDs to introduce new policies rather than supplementing existing policy. This had already been demonstrated in relation to the attempt to introduce an Affordable Housing SPD. Officers were of the opinion that the Hot Food Takeaways SPD did not expand on existing policies within the Bromsgrove District Local Plan but introduced new policy. 

In addition, in relation to Hot Food Takeaways, it had proved impossible to gather the necessary justifying evidence in relation to either health or public order issues to support the production of an SPD.

The Cabinet recognised the work which had been undertaken previously on this issue by Members through the Scrutiny process and by officers and expressed disappointment that the production of an SPD at this time would appear to be extremely unlikely to succeed. It was felt that it would be important to communicate to the public the reasons for not proceeding at this time.

RESOLVED  that in view of the lack of a supporting policy in the adopted Bromsgrove District Local Plan, together with the insubstantial local evidence that Hot Food Takeaways are directly impacting on the sense of community and well being and the environment, no further action be taken in respect of the production of a Hot Food Takeaway SPD at this time but that the position be kept under review.