THE NUMBER of fast food outlets in Rubery could finally be limited, thanks to the Bromsgrove Local Plan.
Under the scheme the amount of takeaways in the village will only be five per cent of the overall retail make-up.
A campaign was launched in 2010 to limit the number of fast food shops in Rubery when there was about 13 on New Road alone, including chip shops, Chinese, Indian, fried chicken and pizza parlours.
That has since worsened and there are currently 16 takeaways in the centre.
Rubery residents wrote to Bromsgrove District Council’s planning department demanding a cap be put on the number of takeaways and Coun Peter McDonald, who has also campaigned tirelessly on the issue, said he was glad the hard work had paid off.
“Its good news for the residents of Rubery that those letters have come to fruition and the number of takeaways will be limited to five per cent.”
The changes will be implemented by ensuring no new takeaways open in the village.
Also, when current fast food shops close, if the five per cent cap is breached (as it is now) they will not be able to re-open as a takeaways.
According to Bromsgrove District Council’s planning department, there are 108 units in Rubery and ten are classed as ‘takeaway’, equating to 9.3 per cent. The remaining ones would come under the ‘restaurants’ banner.
One aspect the council will be unable to do anything about is if a fast food shop is sold on or taken over as that business – it will still continue to be a takeaway.
