St Andrews restaurant wins appeal over outdoor seating area plan

Little Italy on the town's Logies Lane can now proceed with erecting a canopy and dining settings after Scottish Government reporters ruled that Fife Council had made an incorrect decision.

The restaurant had been granted temporary permission to set up outdoor seating under emergency legislation to support restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic, and wanted to make the addition permanent.

The North East Planning Committee meeting on September 23 refused the plans despite officers recommending approval.

Councillors agreed with points made by St Andrews Community Council, which had objected on the grounds that the added seating would not sit well with the area and would narrow the path unreasonably.

In documents submitted to the Scottish Government's Planning and Environment Appeals Division (DPEA), Little Italy's planning agent, James Paul Associates, said the concerns were misguided.

JPA argued that Logies Lane would benefit from the seating, rather than suffer, and that a minimum of three metres of usable footpath would be left available when the seats were out during the day. The chairs and tables would be stored inside at night. Transport officers at Fife Council were satisfied with this.

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In addition, the agents cited a previous application made by another eatery for outdoor seating that was approved.

The Cottage Kitchen, two doors down in Logies Lane, was granted permission to put seating outside in 2013 because, planners said, the arrangement would "contribute to the character, visual amenity and vitality of the adjacent street scene".

The appeal statement noted: "It is difficult to see what has changed since this application was approved."

Steve Field, the Scottish Government reporter handling the case, agreed with the restaurant's argument.

He noted that the extra chairs could lead to more footfall in the area and "contribute to the buzz of activity which characterises successful town centres".

Mr Field granted Little Italy permission on the condition that it ensures the area is not used past 9pm, no music is played outdoors and that Fife Council approves the design of the awnings and screens.

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