PLANS for an outdoor seating area aimed at bringing ‘a cafe culture’ to a new town square are to go before council bosses.

Proposals for the Accrington Pals Outdoor Café outside the Market Hall in Accrington to build an outdoor seating area are recommended for approval.

However a letter and petition containing 22 signatures against the plans has been submitted, with concerns it will not fit into the character of the area.

The cafe trades as a takeaway but owners want to provide outdoor seating with parasols on artificial grass surrounded by barriers.

Cllr Eamonn Higgins, who has invested £7,000 in the cafe, said he hoped it would be a welcome addition to the new town square.

He said: “It would help to provide a cafe culture to the new town square.

“It’s a family business and I’ve invested a few thousand into it, it would provide a nice seating area in the town square.

“It would benefit the public and hopefully more businesses will look to get involved and take advantage of the new town square.”

First stages of work on the £2million town square is nearing competition, with the project expected to be completed later this year.

The new cafe area would be eight metres by four and front on to the Victorian market on the town square.

The seating area would be removed when the outdoor cafe is not being used and all the paraphernalia including the tables, chairs, parasols, means of enclosure and artificial grass would be removed and stored in the nearby pavilion.

It would be open for hot and cold food dining from 8.30am until 4pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am until 2pm on Sundays and bank holidays and have three part-time employees.

Comments against the plans included criticisms it would be a “monstrous carbuncle comprising a hotchpotch of oversized umbrellas, IKEA style furniture and cheap AstroTurf."

Objectors also said the furniture should be in more keeping with the area.

A report prepared for the planning committee recommended the plans be passed.

The report said: “The proposed development is the kind of use that is acceptable in the town centre and one that is encouraged in order to promote and sustain its vitality.”

The final decision on the plans will be made at the Hyndburn Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday. Cllr Higgins chairs the planning committee but will be stepping down for the meeting to avoid a conflict of interests.