McDonald's "Healthier Lifestyles" Claims Under Scrutiny in Planning Appeals

McDonald's has repeatedly overturned local authority attempts in the United Kingdom to prevent it from opening new branches, insisting that it promotes "healthier lifestyles" and offers nutritious menu options. Investigations by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reveal that the fast-food chain has successfully appealed against planning rejections in some of England's most economically disadvantaged areas, where one in four children leaving primary school are obese.

Central to McDonald's defence is the argument that customers can choose salads and low-calorie meals at its outlets, walk or cycle to its drive-throughs, and benefit from the company's sponsorship of local football teams. McDonald's also cites testimony from a specialist GP who maintains that obesity arises from "over a hundred" factors beyond fast food, alongside the company's claims that its menu is nutritionally balanced. "Local decision-making is a critical part of the planning application process, and we always want to work in partnership with local councils to ensure our plans are right for the community," said a McDonald's spokesperson, reflecting the firm's official stance on the controversy.

Despite this partnership approach, critics warn that McDonald's large-scale appeals can deter councils from challenging proposed branches. According to experts interviewed by the BMJ, local authorities fear the considerable expense of legal disputes and may feel pressured to permit new outlets. Dr Amelia Lake, a public health nutrition expert at Teesside University, remarked: "Appeals involve an awful lot of human resources as well as work, and local authorities are very anxious about financial consequences. It's a perfect storm for which a well-organised, financially-fuelled machine can go in and present the evidence that might sway an inspector."

In the past five years, the BMJ investigation shows that McDonald's lodged 14 appeals with the Planning Inspectorate, the government agency overseeing appeals against local authority planning decisions. The company lost only one of those appeals, while two are still under consideration.

In Norwich, McDonald's successfully challenged a council decision to block a drive-through outlet on grounds of public health and traffic concerns. The fast-food corporation maintained that patrons could order salads, coffee, or meals under 400 calories and insisted that "a notable amount of custom will be on foot or cycle." Additionally, it argued that installing a climbing frame would encourage "physical activity." Planning officials overturned the council's decision, and Norwich is now set to welcome its tenth McDonald's in mid-2025.

A similar pattern emerged in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where McDonald's appealed against the council's concerns that a proposed branch would be too close to three primary schools. "Children are likely to visit the restaurant with a supervising adult who can support the child in making responsible food choices," the company asserted. The appeal succeeded, and McDonald's opened the restaurant in December 2023 with sponsorship from the local youth football team Ravenshead FC.

In defending its expansions, McDonald's has relied on statements from Dr Matthew Capehorn, a GP with previous paid advisory ties to the company. He argues that its food can be "healthy and nutritious" and that numerous influences, not just unhealthy diets, drive obesity. Some public health experts, however, criticise McDonald's claims. "It is outrageous that a major fast-food outlet is using its vast financial and legal resources to override local council's efforts to protect public health," said Dr Kawther Hashem, lecturer in public health nutrition and head of research at Action on Sugar. "It is no more enough to just offer some salad options than to claim that a company promotes 'healthier lifestyles'. Clear transparency on sales of healthier options is now needed, with evidence of improvement over time."

Concerns also focus on inequalities: poorer areas frequently have double the number of fast-food outlets than wealthier ones. "This flood of takeaways is fuelling obesity rates, with diet-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, musculoskeletal conditions, and poor mental health forcing thousands out of the workforce and piling pressure on the NHS," said Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, who described McDonald's health-related statements as "pure corporate spin." 

Alice Wiseman, director of public health in Gateshead, told the BMJ that it is difficult for councils to counter corporate appeals. “We haven't got the resources that the likes of McDonald's have got to be able to get into any legal battles with this. It's David and Goliath,” she said, adding that the sheer scale of McDonald's operations can undermine local authorities' capacity to shape a healthier environment.

A Department of Health spokesperson commented: “Fast-food giants are cruelly targeting children by setting up near schools and prioritising their profits over our kids' health. This government is tackling the obesity crisis head-on by giving councils stronger powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools and further measures to crack down on junk food advertising targeting children.”

For further context on similar debates, readers may explore how other fast-food chains have navigated health policies and local government pressures in The KFC Controversy: Navigating Health Policies and Business Interests and view potential strategies to curb fast-food proliferation near schools as discussed in Labour Proposes New Measures to Restrict Fast-food Outlets near Schools.