Behold my shitty diagram:
http://i.imgur.com/9tODwRu.png
In this configuration, where the only route out of the batman-adv-supported layer 2 network is via a layer 3 router to the WAN port on the nodes, is there any benefit to enabling bridge loop avoidance? My understanding is that forming a loop would only be accidentally possible if the link to the non-mesh LAN doesn't go via a gateway. The gateway is configured to block all WAN->LAN traffic, except SSH to the node itself.
The reason I ask is that the operator of the non-mesh network has demanded that we cease connecting any form of mesh routers to their network on the basis that it could mesh a route between two routers connected to their network and form a loop. The situation is quite political, and the facts aren't necessarily the most important factors.
Thanks for your time, Travis.