NEW planning rules are under discussion in Barnsley which could restrict the spread of takeaway food shops.
Restrictions were introduced in 2012, but they are limited to ensure only that full rows of shops are not taken over.
However, councillors have been told discussions are taking place between planners and public health officials, to work out whether further controls could be introduced to help keep a balance in the centres of communities.
Details of the proposals emerged as councillors rejected a planning application for a cafe in High Street, Hoyland, to start trading as a takeaway.
The decision was made on the grounds of road safety and congestion.
However, members of the council’s planning board which made the decision had wanted to reject it on the grounds of the impact on the town centre as well as public health issues, though they were told there were no grounds for them to do so.
The council’s head of planning, Joe Jenkinson, told the meeting that new planning policies would be put to cabinet members after the Local Plan was adopted, with public health officials contributing to the suggestions.
