BRAVAS in Cotham has been allowed to keep its outdoor seating after councillors overturned advice from planning officers to refuse permission following overwhelming public support.
Applause rang out from the public gallery at City Hall as the planning committee approved the application from the popular Cotham Hill tapas restaurant by 8-0 votes, with one abstention, after hearing that rejecting the proposals would be “petty and vindictive”.
The decision followed Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s 11th-hour decision to withdraw its objection, which it initially made amid concerns the al fresco dining structure did not leave enough room for a fire engine to get past on the street, which was pedestrianised during Covid.
But after revisiting the premises, off Whiteladies Road, Redland, to measure the gap, it reversed its decision and found that the width on the highway was adequate for emergency access – by a whole metre more than previously stated.
About 1,200 people wrote in support of Bravas’s bid to retain the seating, making it one of Bristol’s most popular planning applications ever.
The venue now faces a fresh battle with Bristol City Council’s highways authority for a pavement licence for the terrace, which is also required for it to trade outside despite now having planning consent.
Councillors’ update: Page 18