Local council denies planning permission for a new takeaway in Bacup, citing high obesity rates among children in the area
Bacup: So, the local council has put the brakes on a new takeaway opening up in town. They’re saying the kids are already too fat, which is a pretty bold claim.
Woody’s Pizza wanted to set up shop in a spot where a cafe used to be. The owner, Colum Hustler, thought he could bring something fresh to the area. He even promised to use local ingredients and keep things healthy.
But the council wasn’t having it. They pointed out that a significant number of kids in Bacup are already classified as obese. They have rules that prevent new takeaways from opening in areas where obesity rates are high.
In fact, they mentioned that about 20% of kids aged 10 to 11 and over 11% of younger kids are considered obese in the area. That’s a big deal for them.
When the council turned down the plans, they said it would negatively impact the living conditions for nearby residents. They’ve done this before, too, rejecting similar proposals in the past.
Some locals were shocked by the council’s reasoning. One resident, Eric, said he didn’t see any overweight kids around and thought the decision was a bit over the top. He believes more businesses could help bring life to Bacup.
On the flip side, Sarah, who runs a nearby café, thinks there’s definitely room for healthy options. She’s even considering applying for a takeaway license herself, focusing on homemade, healthy food.
It’s a mixed bag of opinions in Bacup. Some folks want more food options, while others are concerned about the health of the kids. It’s clear that the council is trying to tackle a serious issue, but it’s also stirring up quite a debate in the community.
