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TWO HSE PUBLIC health doctors have written to An Bord Pleanála calling on it to refuse planning permission for a drive-thru fast food restaurant in Skerries in north Dublin.
Intervening in the already contentious planning battle, Dr Fionnuala Cooney and Dr Ruth McDermott in a joint submission to the appeals board state that “we strongly recommend that planning permission is not granted to this proposed development”.
The specialists in public health medicine state that “the rationale for our objection is that the proposed facility is likely to have an adverse effect on the diet and physical activity levels in the local population, which in turn could have an adverse impact on childhood obesity levels”.
The two doctors with a work address at the Department of Public Health, HSE-East, Dr Steven’s Hospital, Dublin 8 state that this is because the development is designed to provide a drive-through facility to individuals, groups and families; provide fast food which is likely to be high in fat, sugar and salt and be located in a convenient, accessible and prominent location close to childcare and educational facilities.
Earlier this year, Fingal County Council gave the go-ahead to Marbleside Ltd for the fast food outlet on lands at the Skerries Point shopping centre.
The Irish Heart Foundation (HF) is one of a number of parties to lodge appeals against the plan. In its appeal, the IHF point out that there are four national schools and one secondary school within walking distance of the planned outlet.
In the HSE objection on HSE headed paper, Dr Cooney and Dr McDermott argue that refusing planning permission for the fast food restaurant “would be in keeping with our ‘Healthy Ireland’ policy”.
They state: “Our objection is underpinned by the principle that Government and society have a moral and legal responsibility to act on behalf, and in the best interests of children in reducing the risk of obesity through protecting children’s right to health.”
The two argue that “there should be consistency in planning in relation to food outlets close to education facilities such as the implementation of the ‘no fry zone’ policy in Co Wicklow”.
The two stated that they have prepared their submission “as we regard this planning application as a matter of significant importance to population health”.
They state that their concerns over the proposal relate to adverse effects of this development on the population including the risk of obesity.
They state that currently, six out of every ten adults and one in four children are either overweight or obese.
The doctors made their objection in response to the appeals board seeking a submission from the HSE on the proposal.
Council’s stance
In response to the HSE submission, Fingal County Council point out that the zoning for the site permits fast food outlets in principle and that the proposal is acceptable.
The council point out that the Skerries Educate Together NS is 300 metres from the site “however, one would reasonably expect that direct access by pupils of a primary school to the proposal would generally not be permitted in the everyday functioning of the school”.
Fingal County Council gave the plan the go-ahead in spite of 154 objections and others to appeal the Council decision include the Board of Management of the Skerries Educate Together NS, the Skerries Community Residents Association, the Kelly’s Bay Residents Association and Louise O’Reilly TD (SF).
On the proximity of the planned fast food outlet to a local Educate Together national school, consultants for Marbleside Ltd told the Council that students attending the school will not be permitted to leave the school premises during school hours.
The submission states that outside operating hours, the responsibility for access to the fast food restaurant “should fundamentally lie with parents and guardians”.
The consultants state that therefore, the proposed development will not present a risk to the public health of school students.
The consultants also contend that the proposal represents a positive and complimentary addition to the range of retail services currently being offered at Skerries Point shopping centre.
A decision is due on the case next month.
Would they not be better off objecting to poor parenting and laziness?
@Dara O’Brien: would their time and energy not be better spent on trying to reduce waiting times, people on trollies, the appointment of a minister that doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing?
@liam whelan: The same minister was on the Indo yesterday waffling on about having ambitions of being taoiseach. He listed out his achievements to date and basically said he was a brilliant man to manage departments.
He wouldn’t manage a half decent fart in all fairness.
Fair play to the doctors for doing something instead of just talking.
No need for anymore fast food places in fairness Ireland is saturated in them
@Annette: saturated fats?
@Niall Madden: ??
The only people the drive thru will affect is the ones who are already fat and too lazy to cook decent food for their kids, sending them out for fast food, self control is needed not denials of planning permission on drive thru’s and fast food restaurants
I’m not a mad fan of drive throughs but if this is a reason for refusing permission then why not be consistent and start a mass burning of all fast food restaurants? Surely the ones already built are just as guilty.
Why stop there? Let’s ban anything deemed unhealthy.
The que of yummy mummies in their 4 wheeled glutton wagons at McDonald’s drive thru Donaghemede on the school mornings is unreal, these doctors have a very valid point and should be listened to.
Good work doctors, obesity is getting worryingly high
The local chipper will still be providing if planning for a drive thru is refused, easy to blame a big brand for something already happening.
Road safety was increased with education and awareness, why not personal health?
I thought it was a bit tough on a company trying to set itself up and create jobs etc, until I saw the company behind it.
@Sean Buckley: do we know what restaurant it will be? I see the Anglo Sc<m are behind it. Reason enough to refuse planning surely.
When I lived in London you really notice the difference between areas that had fast foods and ones that had healthier options. It like a addiction people get lazy and and then when easily available cant stop eating it.
The thing is tho at the end of the day people have their own minds and control over what they buy and eat. If they can’t and can’t feed their children good food. They should admit themselves into care.
As doctors, why should their voice be heard any louder than anyone else. Everyone should have one equal voice. What’s wrong with fast food once in a while.
It won’t a fat bit of difference. They will just go somewhere else. We need a radical change on how we consume all this takeaway stuff. Look st the French. There are little or no takeaways. Their roads are spotless and their young people are fit by eating the right kind of food.
Yeah I’d agree with this
Mixed messages
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