Plans for a fast food takeaway have been refused – due to it being too close to a park.

A retrospective planning application was submitted to change the use of a unit in Werrington Road, Bucknall into a hot foot takeaway – Patty's Bucknall actually opened to the public in May.

The unit, opposite the Asda supermarket, was previously Whiteheads DIY.

But planners at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have refused the application, due to the fact that it is only 320 metres away from Hulton Abbey Park.

A policy in Stoke-on-Trent's draft local plan states that the council should resist hot food takeaway development within 800 metres of schools and 'other locations where children and young people are likely to gather', because of the link between fast food and childhood obesity.

When Patty's Bucknall opened in May, a social media post stated that its menu included smash burgers, loaded fries and 'next level' milkshakes.

But the planning application claimed that the takeaway would aim to 'ensure that child obesity is minimised', with a separate healthier menu to include salads, vegetables and grilled foods.

The application also argued that a draft policy should only be given 'a certain amount of weight', and questioned the exemption for proposed takeaways in town centres 'which are if anything as accessible to children'.

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Planning officers at the city council say the proposed policy in the draft local plan is consistent with national planning policy.

The officers' report states: "The proposed use would provide increased access to hot food and takeaway meals in close proximity to a location regularly used by children and young people, undermining both national and local objectives aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles."