It's a dilemma. A 12-inch deep bench will actually be nearer a metre deep when a couple of people put their bags down and sit on it. Then someone comes along with a 2-child buggy, a mobility scooter, a walking frame, whatever, and has to manoeuvre around it, then eventually someone will fall over.One simple bench. Tucked under a window against the wall. 12 inches deep, maybe 4 foot long at the most. Bonkers. WTF has happened to common sense.
I can see why a license should be applied for, I can just about see why there should be a cost for the application. But I can't see why it should be excessive (£500 is excessive imo) and I don't see why it should be renewable annually.