'Resounding success' Cross-party support for restaurant outdoor seats

COUNCILLORS have hit out at their own officers’ advice in a battle to let a popular Bristol restaurant keep its outdoor seating.

- Adam POSTANS

The leader of the Labour group and four Green councillors have written statements of support for Bravas tapas in Cotham Hill, which was pedestrianised during covid.

And in a shock move just hours before a crunch meeting, Avon Fire and Rescue Service withdrew its objection.

An officer revisited the site off Whiteladies Road and concluded that there is in fact enough room fora fire engine to get through in an emergency, according to planning documents published yesterday.

The service had previously opposed the proposals on the grounds that the restaurant's structure immediately outside the premises meant it was too tight.

But planning officers have recommended refusal because they consider the seating enclosure to be permanent, not temporary, as it cannot be dismantled quickly.