Gastropub awaits decision on pavement licence 

The Boot has applied for permission to place outdoor tables and chairs on the street outside its premises for customers to use.

Its owner – Heartwood Inns – has submitted a pavement licence application to South Cambridgeshire District Council to create an al fresco seating area for customers.

Brief details on the public notice say the proposed area would be used: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 11pm; Saturday, 11:30am to 11pm; and Sunday, 11:30am to 10pm. 

Businesses selling food and drink can apply to place removable tables and chairs on a public street next to their premises. 

Once the application is submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council, public notices appear and a consultation process begins involving the highways authority, Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, the relevant Town or Parish Council and Environmental Health. Residents can also share their views. 

For The Boot, the consultation process closed on Monday (2 February). South Cambridgeshire District Council says it will make a final decision within the next month. 

Refusal recommendation

H&I Parish Council’s Planning and Development Committee has recommended the application is refused.

Their concerns include:-

• The proposed times being specified with the application;
• Whether the furniture will be year-long or seasonal;
• Risk to pedestrians and cyclists by reducing the public highway width;
• The type of planters proposed i.e. are they easily movable; and
• The length of the licence. 

Renovations

Last year, The Boot had planning applications approved to renovate the Grade-II Listed building. 

The approved plans included internal and external renovations, along with new signage and floodlighting to be installed outside the premises. 

HI HUB approached Heartwood Inns to comment on its future vision for The Boot.

READ MORE: Parish Council recommends refusal of Kendal Court proposals