A WELL-known Rawtenstall restaurant owner has hit out at councillors for refusing his plans to expand and warned an appeal is on the cards.

Ignazio Pillitteri, who owns Nino's in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, applied to Rossendale Borough Council to covert a ground floor dwelling into a bar and lounge extension.

Councillors refused the application after residents backed council leader Graham Pearson complaints about parking issues.

Mr Pillitteri, who has built up his business over the past 17 years, said he has enough car parking spaces and main road parking to satisfy the needs of his customers.

He said: "Residents didn't object to a 135-seat restaurant opening last year on the same road which I find hard to understand.

"I tried to buy some of the land so I could extend the car parking facilities but it was refused and then the council gave permission for it to be used a few years later.

"I employ 44 staff and serve around 1,400 people here every week with people coming from all over Lancashire. The lounge and bar area gets too crowded on Friday and Saturday night's so I just wanted to give my customers something back to make them feel more comfortable when waiting for their meal. The extension wouldn't be creating any more dining space just more room. I will be lodging an appeal and feel confident that I will win."

Resident Bill Foulds, who lives in nearby Wheatholme Street, Rawtenstall, said: "Nino's opened quite a few years ago but only have a small car park at the back of the building. It has since had one extension.

"Bacup Road is full of cars at both sides and it's most annoying when the customers use Wheatholme Street as a car park when coming to Nino's. If it's an extension it is obvious there will be more customers and cars. Residents are fed up with the fact we have nowhere to put our cars."

The restaurant caters for around 120-130 customers but only has a car park suitable for 26 cars.

Councillor Pearson said in a letter to the Development Control Committee: "As one of the ward councillors I am totally against this future development. In this area problems will be exaggerated if it's granted. Parking on the streets should be used for residents. I have been trying without success to look at some form of residents only parking for the area but I have had no success. The highways manager looked to try and introduce a pilot scheme in this area. Despite two reminders there is slow or no progress with residents only parking."