NEW planning rules which would ban new takeaways from opening near schools or parks have been approved.

The rules, designed to tackle childhood obesity, had been opposed by fast food giant McDonalds as well as the district's Conservative group.

Councillor Simon Cooke, the Conservative spokesman for planning, told a meeting of the Executive today that there was little evidence linking the location of takeaways with childhood obesity.

He said: "I would go so far as to say that there isn't any evidence at all that links these two things."

He said it would place an unnecessary restriction on property owners with no measurable benefit.

The district's director of public health, Anita Parkin, said she agreed with Cllr Cooke that the evidence was not strong.

She said: "I would say that it is important that we do look at issues relating to planning, but that shouldn't be our focus."

But Councillor Amir Hussain (Lab), executive member for health, said he was in favour of the policy, as obesity was a serious issue in the district which needed to be tackled.

The new rules will also bar new takeaways from opening beyond 11pm in residential areas and stop 'clusters' of takeaways from appearing.