Family-run restaurant fights to keep outdoor seats

An independent restaurant's bid to keep its outdoor seating has suffered a setback after council planning officers recommended its refusal.

The officers said the structure outside Bravas, on Cotham Hill in Clifton, Bristol, does not leave enough room for a fire engine in an emergency, causing a "severe safety concern".

The restaurant's planning application is one of the most popular ever in the city, with support from local councillors and more than 1,000 people.

Cotham councillor Mohamed Makawi said: "These businesses have been operating like this for years without issue. There are no problems here that cannot be easily solved."

"It's frustrating to find obstacles being needlessly thrown in the way of hardworking local businesses who need our support," added Mr Makawi.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a similar planning application from Bravas was rejected earlier this year, but the owners decided to try again because of the large public support.

Louis Foss-Clark, 25, a supervisor at the family-run restaurant, said: "The latest I've heard is that the appeal process has now been postponed, temporarily."

He said the structure "brings the street a lot of character", adding: "The street was pedestrianised for a reason."

"The fact that it's gone to the top of [the council's] list of priorities is a bit of a shame," said Mr Foss-Clark.

The report said the space left on the road, which was pedestrianised in 2021, was too narrow and would "cause conflict between cyclists and pedestrians".

Officers noted other issues the structure could cause, such as restricting access for sweeping, flooding problems, an inability to access underground utilities and possible overcrowding if other restaurants follow suit.

They added: "To clarify, this objection is to the structure, not the principle of outdoor dining.

"Even if planning permission is granted for this application, the Highway Authority would be unable to grant a licence for it on the grounds of health and safety."

Bristol City Council's planning committee will decide whether to grant permission to Bravas at a meeting on 19 November.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.