Takeaway restrictions could be enforced in ‘the most obese area in Lancashire’

A new plan under consideration by a local council could be introduced to ‘the most obese area in Lancashire’ which would restrict takeaways.

The Rossendale’s Local Plan would make changes in the area as part of measures designed to improve resident’s health.

The plan, primarily aimed to use small venues for exercise classes, could be linked to restrictions on the number of takeaways allowed to run in the area.

Records show Rossendale has the lowest exercise and highest obesity rates in Lancashire.

Officials want to improve physical activity, health weights, lifestyles, diets and mental health.

The full plan will go to the full council for approval in December.

Speaking to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee borough’s Director of Community Adam Allen said: ‘We had about 50 or 60 community groups active during the covid pandemic which did fantastic work. They include food banks, family support and support for people suffering loneliness.

‘We want to use that energy for the future. This is about understanding what people want, what they think is important and want to get involved with.

‘Mental health is really important. Low-level interventions can really help and make a big difference to people’s lives. Depression is higher in Lancashire and Rossendale than other parts of the country. There’s a real need for help. So mental well-being is one of the priorities in the Rossendale plan.

‘Physical activity is also important and we are working with organisations such as Active Futures and Sport England. This is not about elite sport and excellence. We are looking at why people don’t exercise and how we can get them to exercise.

‘Our work has shown that people are very interested in healthy eating too. We have a 50 per cent higher propensity of takeaways in Lancashire and Rossendale than other parts of the UK.

‘Rossendale has the lowest number of people in any Lancashire borough doing a minimum of 30 minutes exercise a week. We also have the third-highest level of adult obesity. So physical activity and healthy weight are priorities too.'