Planning relief expected for pavement seating proposals

HOSPITALITY businesses will be able to place tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises without submitting a planning application -under measures expected to come into force at the end of next month.

Says the Scottish Government, here: “Strong support was expressed in a public consultation for the extension of permitted development rights to enable more cafés, bars and restaurants to offer outdoor eating and drinking. Regulations to implement the measures were laid in the Scottish Parliament on Friday February 10 for approval by MSPs.”

But it adds: “Councils will, however, retain powers to prevent and deal with obstructions that make it difficult for people to access pavements safely and effectively, for example people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments, or families with children in pushchairs.”

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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