COUNCILS across the country are preparing to use planning powers to limit the spread of fast food shops.

Plans are already being considered by neighbouring Croydon Council, where £300,000 has been invested in a campaign starting later this year that will help lower the number of overweight children in the borough.

And in Waltham Forest, the council has stated it will not approve planning permission for a takeaway to open within 400 metres of a school, youth facility or park.

The plans all aim to reduce the opportunities youngsters have to eat fast food and in turn, lower obesity levels.

In Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham, child obesity figures are higher than the 19 per cent average from across the UK, with Greenwich the highest at 25 per cent.

Reporter JONATHAN HUTCHINGS asked shoppers in Sidcup and Eltham whether they thought planning powers are needed to curb the number of takeaways.

Obesity levels across the News Shopper patch (2012 Department of Health figures)

Average UK: 19 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 24 per cent of adults obese

Bexley: 21 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 26 per cent of adults obese

Bromley: 16 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 22 per cent of adults obese

Dartford: 22 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 28 per cent of adults obese

Gravesham: 19 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 29 per cent of adults obese

Greenwich: 25 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 23 per cent of adults obese

Lewisham: 24 per cent of Year 6 children are obese; 24 per cent of adults obese

What do you think?

Debbie Gobell, 53, of Station Road in Bexleyheath said: “I think that there are too many. It causes litter dropping and youth congregation.”

June Hall, 73, of Birch Close in Eltham and Shirley Nield, 70, or Kidbrooke Grove in Blackheath said: “We don’t use them, we hate burgers. There are definitely too many.”

Anne Strange, 61, of Ashcroft Avenue in Sidcup said: “I rarely use them but they seem to be everywhere you go. They cause big litter problems.”

Lucas Garsood, 26 of Sidcup High Street said: “I think that they’re fine the way they are. I would like more sit-down restaurants though.”

Kevin Bacon, 49 of Station Road in Sidcup said: “I don’t use them but there seem to be enough and they have a good variety.”

Elay Jones, 82, of Strongbow Crescent in Greenwich said: “I prefer to use restaurants, I like a traditional pie and mash but there are some superb pizza places around. Not too many either.”