A popular Southside café is to be allowed to expand an outdoor seating area for customers after a decision to refuse planning permission was overturned by city councillors.
Moyra Janes in Pollokshields had asked the local authority to grant their proposal to use the public footpath between 18-20 Kildrostan Street to seat more tables so that customers could enjoy al fresco dining.
The café already has permission to sit three or four tables and chairs outside the main door but concerns were raised about the length of the awnings which would be attached to the building.
With city businesses still reeling from the impact of the covid pandemic however, and as people are encouraged to meet up outdoors wherever possible, councillors felt the economic benefits outweighed other concerns.
And they also said that concerns about the awning could be addressed by making sure it met local standards, and that it was a necessary part of the outdoor are, with one councillor pointing out: "I don’t want the rain stoatin’ off my napper when I am outside drinking coffee."
The planning application, which had been refused following 16 letters of objection and five letters of support, was brought before the local review committee on Tuesday.
Councillor Elaine McDougal said: “For me, economic growth and sustainability is a material consideration in this case.
“If we grant the application we can allow the operator to make their local business sustainable long term and keep Glaswegians employed.
“On the balance of things, while the council policy is being applied, I feel there are material considerations that outweigh the concerns raised.”
Councillor Ken Andrew agreed with councillor McDougal that there were good economic reasons to help the business.
He said: “I would also be subject to grant this application with conditions in place to the historic nature of this site. I think we have to have the awnings appropriately fitted to the satisfaction of the historic environment.”
Chairwoman Anne McTaggart also agreed with her colleagues as the cafe had already been given temporary permission for the outdoor seating area and there had been no complaints from residents.
She concluded: “Given that we have just come out of Covid, I think people will want to sit outside
“I don’t know about you but I don’t want the rain stoatin’ off my napper when I am outside drinking coffee so the awnings should be installed but conditioned to meet property standards for that area.
“We have been enhancing and encouraging cafes to keep people outside. The awnings must be there to prevent smoke rising to the flats upstairs.”
Following the discussion the application was agreed subject to conditions.
