Cafes, bars and restaurants across Ayrshire are expected to be allowed to place tables and chairs outside their premises without submitting a planning application under a new initiative.
The measures, likely to be approved by MSPs, are expected to come into force at the end of March and aim to support the hospitality industry, helping them to recover from the pandemic and cost crisis.
Councils will still have powers to remove obstructions which make it difficult for people to access pavements safely, for wheelchair users, those with visual impairments and pushchairs.
A 12-week consultation also backed the relaxation of planning rules for the conversion of certain premises into cafes, restaurants, or small-scale offices, as well as the installation of larger electric vehicle charging equipment in car parks.
If approved by Parliament, all these measures would be allowed under certain circumstances without the need for a planning application.
The move has been backed by Ayr’s MSP Siobhian Brown, who is also the Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s cross party group Towns and Town Centres.
She said: “I welcome this news as it will help hospitality businesses bounce back from the pandemic and will play a role in bringing people back into our town centres.
“There are many excellent food and drink businesses in my constituency that will benefit from this move as it will encourage more customers to eat out, especially as we move into the warmer summer months.
“The hospitality industry plays a crucial role in Scotland’s economy and the Scottish Government will continue to protect and promote it.”
Planning Minister Tom Arthur said the measures will support the country’s many town and city centre businesses “to thrive”.
He said: “More flexible use of outdoor space can help the hospitality industry recover from the pandemic and cost crisis, while making city and town centres more attractive and welcoming.
“A more streamlined approach to changes of use can help businesses respond more rapidly to shifting circumstances, support reuse of vacant premises and encourage the return of workers and shoppers to our town and city centres.”
Mr Arthur added that simplifying planning rules for electric vehicle chargers will support the roll-out of infrastructure across Scotland as part of the government’s commitment to tackling climate change and making Scotland a Net Zero nation.
He added: “These measures will help deliver our ambition to create a fairer, greener and wealthier Scotland, by making places more attractive for people to live, work and visit.”
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