York's busy Parliament Street looks set to become home to another pavement caf.

Pizza Hut wants to provide an open air eating area in front of its restaurant near the fountain.

City of York Council planners are urging councillors to approve the scheme for seven tables and 18 chairs, saying it would benefit the vitality and viability of the city centre.

But critics have condemned the scheme for denying public space in an already crowded area, and for making life even harder for the blind and partially sighted.

A report to the authority's Planning and Transport (City Centre Area) sub-committee says that Guildhall Neighbourhood Forum Panel object, arguing that Parliament Street is already under pressure from foot traffic.

It also says the proposals run counter to the intentions of unhindered pedestrian access.

The York Blind and Partially Sighted Society told the Evening Press it had not been consulted by the council, although it would like to be when such proposals were being considered.

But spokeswoman Diane Roworth said she had great concerns about the proliferation of such pavement cafes, particularly in Parliament Street.

"This area is already very difficult to negotiate. There are already pavement cafes in the area as well as other obstacles such as the fountain and benches."

She said it was vital that if the pavement caf did win the go-ahead, there should be barriers along the edge so as to make it easier for guide dogs and people with long canes.

She said it was otherwise all too easy for partially sighted and blind pedestrians to trip over chair legs that stuck out into the pavement.

Planning officers say the seated area would be enclosed by a bench and barriers.

They recommend hours of operation should be restricted to footstreet times, and say loudspeakers playing music should be banned to protect the area from excessive noise.

* The committee will consider the application at a meeting on Thursday.

Updated: 08:58 Tuesday, August 07, 2001