Stockton Heath's Piccolino could be set for a bold expansion

The planning application has been submitted to Warrington Borough Council's planning chiefs on behalf of Piccolino, which is off London Road in Stockton Heath.

According to the proposals on the council's planning portal, the expansion would allow the restaurant to increase the number of guests it can have at a time.

The applicant says that the restaurant currently turns away around 40 tables per week, due to demand being more than the premises can accommodate.

As per the plans available online, the expansion would be in the form of refurbishing 85 London Road, which is adjacent to Piccolino at number 87.

It is planned that expanding into the downstairs level of the vacant premises would allow for the restaurant to expand.

Included in the plans is the provision to replace the boarded-up frontage of 85 London Road with impressive oak bi-folding doors.

Documents submitted to the council's planning department read: "The proposed changes to 87 London Road are limited to the ground floor shop frontage where the proposal is to replace the existing boarded up shop front with two new sets of glazed oak bi-folding doors which would open up directly onto the street and allow the restaurant to potentially spill out onto the street with outdoor seating."

The restaurant sits in the centre of Stockton Heath (Image: Maps)

Due to planning regulations, the only aspect of the restaurant's plans that would require permission from bosses in the planning department is the bi-folding doors that would be installed - any internal changes to the building can go ahead without council approval.

The plans add: "Due to its popularity the restaurant estimates it is having to turn away in the region of 40 bookings per week.

"The additional covers provided by the extension into number 85 will provide the restaurant with additional space to meet at least some of this demand.

"This has the additional benefit of more people coming to Stockton Heath town centre and likely spending money in other establishments in the centre helping to maintain the vitality and viability of the centre."

The plans show the bi-fold doors would create access to a new dining space (Image: Piccolino)

It continues: "This represents a public benefit associated with the development.

"The proposed development will also have the added benefit of creating jobs with the extended restaurant requiring additional members of staff to serve the additional guests."

The application sums up the expected benefits that a development like this might have:

• The reuse of otherwise vacant premises for its optimum use
• The creation of jobs in the restaurant
• Capital investment in the business and building
• Investment in the town centre
• Benefits to other businesses through the attraction of people to Stockton Heath
• Delivery of town centre policy and government strategy objectives

This planning application is under consideration by planning officers at Warrington Borough Council, with a decision due by Wednesday, June 28.