Fast-food giant McDonald’s has criticised plans from Swindon Borough Council to ban takeaways near schools in the town.

In the local plan, which is currently open for public comments, the burger chain has taken issue to a part that states takeaways cannot open within 400m of a school.

In the comments, McDonald’s said: “There is no sound reason for the policy or a blanket ban on restaurants that include a takeaway element within 400m of a school.

“It is unsound and should be deleted from the plan.”

Here is what you said on Facebook:

Jeanette Gale: “They go on about children being overweight and think it’s okay to keep putting fast food buildings up.

“There are more fast food shops around Swindon than there are normal shops.

“The government needs to stop allowing these to be built as the parents are the ones that get penalized for their children being overweight.

“We need to start thinking of their health and not fast food halls.”

Joe Botwright: “400m is nothing when you’re a kid, maybe try and put them more than 400m away from places of work.”

Alan Walklett: “If kids want fast food, they will get fast food.”

Simon Cousens: “Banning the food is the only way.”

Diogo Costa: “Stupid idea. Close it down, fire everyone, move somewhere else and problem (if it’s really a problem) won’t be solved anyway.”

Jacquie Titcombe: “There’s far too many takeaways anyway.

“They should go the other way then. Meals that are decent and healthy should be made at home.”

Sandy Arnold: “It’s not just McDonald’s though is it.

“Burger King, fish and chip shops, sweet shops, come on. I could go on.

“If kids have that kind of money freely available, given to them by their parents, one way or another they will have whatever they want.”

Anna Hughes: “The question should be when did it stop being a parent’s responsibility for their kids and become the responsibility of companies like McDonald’s?”

Lyndsey Mattinson: “Why are kids allowed to leave schools during breaks?

“They are in the care of the school so they should be on site during the school times unless given parental permission to leave. Take the option away, solve the problem.”

Jayne Arkle: “You can’t beat someone with a stick to eat healthy. What happened to freedom of choice?”

Sharon Mason: “I think it’s ridiculous. If Children, young adults or even grown adults want to buy McDonald’s, sweets or fizzy drinks they will find a way.”

Teresa Stratton: “Funny, all this fuss over food but still allow smoking and drugs to rule people’s lives.”

Teri Blackler: “The price of healthy food over fast food is the real issue.

“A pot of fruit is £3 and a happy meal is £1.99, doesn’t make sense to persuade people to eat better.”

Angel Reid: “We should also ban shops near schools as well as any other place selling food items deemed unhealthy.”

Dustyne Finch: “So if it’s 401m that’s okay.

“Because that would make all the difference, why not just stop kids leaving school at lunch time?”

Julie Cleaver: "It's education that's needed, not location."

Chris Woolford: "Why not teach children the benefits of healthy eating and let them decide?"

Alan Bracey: "Good idea, that's at least 800m exercise."