Plans for a fast food restaurant in Stirling have been refused because the proposed site was too close to a school, according to the Herald newspaper.

Stirling Council's planning team rejected an application from McDonald's saying it would damage healthy eating promotion at the St Modan’s High School, 300 yards from where the international chain wanted to set up.

The panel's decision to reject the construction of a restaurant and drive-through at Springkerse Business Park was unanimous.

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They decided the application went against the Scottish Government's Obesity Route Map Action Plan.

There were more than 20 objections to the proposal at a council planning hearing, including one from St Modan's parent council.

Parents argued the restaurant would have "a significant negative impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of the pupils" and that it appeared "to contrast with Government policy and initiatives designed to alleviate the burden of obesity".

The restaurant would also have fallen outwith designated uses for the site – which included office accommodation, general industry and storage or distribution facilities.

Steven Birrell of McDonald's Scotland said the company was "disappointed”.

He said: "We have had a long-term interest in opening a restaurant in the Springkerse area that pre-dates the building of St Modans High School."

The school moved to its current location in 2008.

(NE)