Shakes 'n' Cakes hot food takeaways risks ‘greater obesity’ at Inverness Royal Academy says Lochardil and Drummond Community Council in its objection
Shakes 'n' Cakes, the dessert parlour chain, has been given the go-ahead to start hot food takeaway sales despite objections from the local community council including over what it says are childhood obesity risks.
Highland Council’s south planning committee granted planning permission even though there were six areas of concern raised by Lochardil and Drummond Community Council to the proposal.
The owners of the popular cafe or “parlour” in the Culduthel area of Inverness want to add hot food to its offerings so it needed a change of use with an extraction flue having to be fitted for that.
The planning report that went before the committee notes that retail units at the site had previously been granted permission “specifically excluding Class 3 use hot food takeaway”.
Despite that, planners recommended that councillors approve the change of use but Lochardil and Drummond Community Council were against the move with six objections.
The community council cited air pollution through cooking odours; light pollution as the premises work late into the evening; and noise pollution through additional traffic and the ventilation system.
Traffic issues prompted by more vehicles and that will lead “inexorably to additional pollution”; an increase in litter causing scavenging by seagulls and rodents; and finally the risk of greater obesity.
The community council stated: “Given the IRA’s location in relation to the shop it is questionable whether the café should have been given planning consent in the first place.
“Therefore, given levels of obesity amongst this cohort and the Scottish Government’s policy statements regarding the prevention of overweight and obesity and particularly the ‘Beyond the School Gate’ initiative.
“It is clear that any further loosening of consent for these premises will have a significantly detrimental effect on the diets of a significant number of school children thereby countering efforts by the school, parents and government in tackling childhood obesity and the habit of fast-food consumption.”