Petition launched in favour of new Costa in Clifton, Bristol

The owners of the new Costa on Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, have started a petition against Bristol City Council's attempts to serve an enforcement action on their cafe which opened without planning permission. 

The petition is on the bar of the cafe, formally Derbyshire's newsagent, and already has a number of signatures.

It reads: "We, the undersigned, are aware of the enforcement action being taken by Bristol City Council towards the continued operation of Costa Coffee at 123-125 Whiteladies Road, Bristol.

"We support the continued operation of the Coffee Shop as it provides a valuable, high quality service that makes an important contribution to the shopping centre."

Costa franchise owners Stuart and Lynn Montgomery's appeal against the enforcement notice is due to be heard on February 7, and potentially the enforcement notice could be dealt with the same day.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Mr and Mrs Montgomery face prosecution for breaching planning laws.

Gary Collins, development services manager at Bristol City Council, said taking more severe action like a stop notice before then would be "disproportionate" and potentially expose the council to a claim for compensation.

Speaking at a planning committee meeting earlier this month, he said: "The guidance is that a planning authority has to consider the number of people that would benefit or be adversely affected if a stop notice is issued.

"My strong advice is these circumstances, whilst a breach of planning control, do not fall into those categories of serious harm or public safety."