Councils refuse to adopt ‘no-fry zones’ around schools

Councils are ignoring planning guidelines that keep fast-food premises away from schools. Just one local authority has written the policy into its development plans.

Most councils say their plans were drawn up before the guidelines came into effect, but they have not amended the plans to incorporate the policy and are not committing to doing so in future.

Some say they cannot adopt the guidelines, because they may conflict with EU or national competition law.