Policy DM24 Hot food takeaways
Hot food takeaways (use class A5) will be permitted where:
a) the proposal would not give rise to unacceptable environmental effects which could not be overcome by the imposition of conditions; and
b) the proposal has safe and convenient access and would not be detrimental to highway or pedestrian safety.
Where necessary, permission will be granted subject to conditions restricting hours of opening in order to protect the amenity of surrounding occupants and the vitality and viability of the area generally.
This policy will also apply to applications to relax or vary conditions to allow hot food takeaway facilities in conjunction with existing restaurants, cafés and other hospitality uses.
Supplementary text
24.1 Norwich has seen an expansion of hot food takeaways within the city centre and local and district centres in recognition of the increased role of takeaway food outlets to support the evening and late night economy and the changing function of neighbourhood centres. Whilst policy DM20 and DM21 seek to maintain an appropriate balance between retail and supporting services in centres, hot food takeaways raise additional issues in relation to impact on residential and visual amenity, litter, noise and disturbance, parking and highway safety and food odour nuisance (particularly where there is a cumulative or incremental impact from several outlets in close proximity).
24.2 In assessing proposals for hot food takeaways the council will apply the criteria in policies DM20 and DM21 to maintain a minimum retail representation in centres and ensure their continued vitality, viability and diversity. Locations within defined centres will generally be preferred over freestanding hot food takeaways outside centres as the latter would tend to lead to a less accessible pattern of development, potentially attracting car borne customers into residential areas and adding to problems of noise and disturbance, parking and highway safety.
24.3 Hot food takeaway outlets are not always suitable in areas where vehicular access is restricted, traffic volumes are high, servicing is inadequate or no on or off-street customer parking is available. They need to be located appropriately so that the potential impact of car borne customers stopping to use the outlet, or customers on foot congregating outside, can be properly managed and the effects of mechanical noise, vibration, food odour nuisance, litter and potential late night disturbance on the occupants of neighbouring properties minimised. Policy DM2 and DM11 will be relevant in the assessment of impacts on amenity from noise and disturbance.
24.4 The particular operational needs of takeaways for food waste storage, fume extraction flues and filtration plant will also have implications for the external appearance and setting of buildings. Careful consideration must be given to the design and visual appearance of these elements. To enable a proper assessment, applicants proposing hot food takeaway uses will generally be required to provide details of the proposed internal layout of premises and the design and specification of the proposed fume extraction system as part of a full application rather than these details being covered by condition.
24.5 To ensure hot food takeaways do not harm amenity or the character of an area, either individually or collectively, consideration will also be given to conditions setting appropriate hours of opening and requiring agreement for suitable refuse storage and management arrangements. Standard conditions providing for limitations on noise and vibration and food odour will generally be imposed in accordance with the recommendations of environmental health officers where necessary.
References
- NPPF: CLG, 2012: Section 2: Ensuring the vitality of town centres, Section 8: Promoting healthy communities: guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services; ensure that established shops and facilities are able to develop and modernise in a way that is sustainable and retained for the benefit of the community; Section 11: Conserving and enhancing the natural environment: avoid noise from giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life as a result of new development.
- National Planning Practice Guidance, CLG 2014: Ensuring the vitality of town centres; Health and well-being; Noise; Air quality.
