The “deluge” of fast food takeaways in Redbridge is set to be tackled with the introduction of a strict new cap on the number of outlets which can open.

A bill recommending the introduction of a 10 per cent cap on pubs and hot food takeaways in three town centres – Chadwell Heath, Seven Kings and Goodmayes – is set to go before councillors in the summer.

In Seven Kings, 11 per cent of businesses are takeaways, while Woodford Bridge has 10 per cent and Gants Hill has seven per cent of outlets running as takeaways.

Under existing guidelines, every shopping area should have retail units accounting for no less than 70 per cent of its total shops.

But only two areas in theborough – Manford Way in Hainault and Woodford Bridge – are at or above this threshold.

On Wednesday last week councillors on the local development framework advisory committee in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, were expected to talk about other options to limit the number of takeaways that can open in the borough.

Chairman Cllr Filly Maravala, (Lab), said: “If I had my own way, we’d have [the number of retail units] at 80 per cent because there’s a deluge of takeaways. They bring with them all sorts of vermin, litter and rotten vegetables. It’s got out of hand.”

He added the whole borough should be included in any new policy introduced by the council.

Fellow committee member Cllr Ali Hai (Lab), who asked for the subject to be discussed duing the meeting, said: “I’m not antibusiness, but I feel there are areas that have a rundown image because we’re having so many outlets which are the same type. We need some control in terms of the number of and quality of these types of premises.”