Restaurant wins fight to keep outdoor seating

A restaurant which was battling to keep its outdoor seating installed during the Covid pandemic has won a last-minute reprieve after councillors overturned advice from planning officers to refuse permission.

There was applause at Bristol City Hall as Bravas, on Cotham Hill, Bristol, was given the green light by Bristol City Council, after hearing a rejection would be "petty and vindictive."

"It's given everyone job security and it's allowing people to continue to come out and enjoy the street and enjoy this place," said co-founder Kieran Waite.

The decision was made after Avon Fire and Rescue withdrew its objection, after concerns there was not enough space for fire engines to get past.

"Covid was awful for so many people and one of the silver linings that came out of that was the pedestrianisation of Cotham Hill, said Waite.

"For our business, the outdoor trading and the shelter we have has become a bit of a lifeline," he added.

About 1,200 people wrote in support of Bravas' bid to retain the seating, making it one of Bristol's most popular ever planning applications.

Co-founder Imogen Waite said: "For nearly five years this terrace has helped to turn an old parking space into a place where people actually spend time together.

"In that period there have been no recorded accidents linked to the terrace."

In a report, council officers recommended refusal because the fire service had objected previously, and that it would hinder access to underground utilities.

Councillor Fabian Breckels told the committee: "This strikes me as one of those cases where decisions seem to be made to refuse planning permission for something regardless even if the evidence then changes.

"It's not a good look, it makes the council look petty and vindictive."

Anni Towsend, who voted for the motion, told the meeting: "Frankly, it's wild that it has taken this long to get to this point."

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service

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