Bury Council has adopted new planning guidance designed to support healthier neighbourhoods by influencing where future hot food takeaways are located.
The policy is intended to improve local food environments and help tackle health inequalities across the borough.
The council has formally adopted a Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document which will be used when considering planning applications for new takeaway businesses.
Developed jointly by the council's Public Health and Planning teams, the guidance draws on local data and national evidence to help shape planning decisions.
The council said research shows that higher numbers of hot food takeaways are often associated with increased rates of childhood obesity and are more common in areas experiencing higher levels of deprivation.
A central part of the guidance is Bury's Hot Food Takeaway Matrix, which will be used to assess planning applications. The matrix takes account of factors including the distance from secondary schools, local childhood obesity rates and the existing concentration of takeaway outlets.
The council said the new approach forms part of wider work to create healthier communities by encouraging better access to healthier food choices while supporting sustainable development.
Jon Hobday, director of public health, said, "This is a positive step towards creating healthier environments for our residents. By considering health alongside planning decisions, we can help give children and families the best opportunity to live healthy lives while supporting sustainable local development."
Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said, "I am pleased to see this important policy adopted. Creating healthier neighbourhoods requires action across many areas of council work, and planning has a key role to play. This guidance will help ensure that future development supports the health and wellbeing of our communities, particularly our children and young people."
Bury Council said the supplementary planning document forms part of a wider programme aimed at helping residents eat well, live well and access healthier choices across the borough.
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