A cafe in Old Aberdeen will be allowed to have tables and chairs outside – despite concerns from local residents.
Shelter Cafe in High Street – a converted toilet block – applied to council bosses to have the area outside the building.
The application received seven local complaints, mostly revolving around pedestrian access on the pavement.
However, there were 33 letters of support and the committee were told a petition gathered by the cafe in support had more than 100 signatories.
The committee heard the area would be sealed off and the furniture would not be fixed and could be put away in the evenings.
Following debate, members unanimously backed the proposal.
Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells councillor Martin Greig said: “The seating reduces the walking area quite significantly.
“However, it was not possible to find a reason to object because so many pavements in the area are very narrow. Sections of the High Street have much less room for pedestrians to pass.
“The context and surrounding area are important factors in reaching a decision about pavement seating. In other streets there would have been stronger grounds for refusing permission.”
