Scotland’s three major hospitality trade associations have called on the Scottish Government not to exclude pubs from current proposals which would see other hospitality premises like restaurants have greater flexibility with on-street seating.
As part of the Permitted Development Rights consultation - which closed 4 August - outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted without a planning application.
Under the current proposal however, it would only apply to restaurants and other businesses currently operating as a class 3 businesses - food and drink for consumption on the premises - not pubs or bars. This is due to pubs and bars being classified differently, despite the fact many are now indistinguishable from restaurants and other 'hybrid' venues.
