Plans for Thanet’s fifth McDonald’s in Ramsgate quashed after childhood obesity concerns

Plans for what would be a district’s fifth McDonald’s have been quashed after fears it would add to already high levels of childhood obesity.

The restaurant was planned for wasteland next to Tesco in Manston Road, Ramsgate.

But a planning officer at Thanet District Council has refused the bid, citing loss of housing land and its proximity to a local primary school.

In the ward of Newington, which the drive-thru would be within, 43.7% of Year 6 children were overweight as of 2020.

This is the highest in the district, and well above the national average of 25.5%.

In a report, the officer said: “Within 300m of the site is Newington Primary School, approximately a five-minute walk, and within 400m of the approved site of the primary school in the Manston Green Development.

“It is appreciated that these children would not be able to leave the school grounds during school hours also taken by a teacher, parent or guardian, not necessarily the case for secondary school children.

“However, it is recognised that the older children in the school could access the proposal when travelling home, it is not uncommon for older children to walk home accompanied or unaccompanied given the likely catchment area of the school would extend beyond the application site.

“Given the nature of proposed use on the site, it could be an attractive place for children and young people to congregate, given its relative ease of access and 30mph roads that surround the site.”

The officer also noted the high concentration of fast food outlets in Thanet, with a density of 109.8 per 100,000 population.

This is “notably higher” than the national average of 55.5 per 100,000 population.

Four of these are McDonald’s, with the chain already operating in Westwood, Margate town centre, Broadstairs and less than five miles from the site at Minster Services.

There is also a fifth just outside the district at the Discovery Park in Sandwich.

“It is considered that the impact upon 'healthy eating' could be significant to young children given the rates of excess weight within the Newington ward and the density of fast food outlets within Thanet compared to the rest of the country and would warrant a refusal on those grounds,” they added.

Previously, locals had highlighted concerns, with Ramsgate councillor Raushan Ara (Lab) saying: “The fewer fast food places - including McDonald’s - we have, the better in my opinion.

“It's up to the individuals, but it’s not good to have so many in a small space.”

Furthermore, the vacant land in question has been allocated for housing in the district’s local plan.

Previously used as a vehicle depot, the site has been empty for several years and is part of a larger plot earmarked for 120 homes.

The report said: “There is a need for new housing development that is in a sustainable location, with reasonable access to public facilities and amenities.

“The application site is located within the town’s confines within reasonable walking and cycling distances of the town’s facilities and amenities.”

Concluding, the officer wrote: “The economic benefits of the development would not outweigh the harm in terms of the loss of housing land and health implications.”

Had it been green-lit, the takeaway would have sat 73 guests and a 49-space car park.

McDonald’s previously said “recognises the importance of public health and shares the collective goal of reducing childhood obesity”, when concerns were first raised.

It added: “54 per cent of our menu is now classified as not high in fat, salt or sugar and 89 per cent of our items in our core menu contain under 500 calories.”