Wandsworth Council is consulting on new planning guidance to curb the expansion of new fast food places.

The guidance will give the council new powers to stop new hot fast food outlets from opening in a bid to tackle obesity. If approved, it would also protect local pubs from redevelopment and potentially limit the number of betting shops in the future.

Deputy council leader, Jonathan Cook, said: ‘We have proposed new limits on the concentration of fast food takeaways, both in our town centres and around schools.

‘This is an important step in tackling obesity as well as maintaining the balance of different shops, pubs and food outlets our high streets need to remain attractive and popular.’

The proposed changes will go before the executive group for final approval next week.