PIZZA diners are expected to be given a slice of York's Parliament Street next week.

Pizza Hut's application to create an 18-seat open-air eating area in front of its city centre restaurant is set to be approved by City of York Council's planning committee.

It follows a site visit by councillors eager to see the effect the addition would have on the street.

The proposal has received objections from city centre residents. But the concerns are not upheld by council officers.

"The provision of a seating area in the proposed location would not appear to raise any specific highway-related concerns, since unhindered pedestrian access along that side of Parliament Street would remain," said Jonathan Car, the council's development control officer. "The relatively small area would be contained towards the centre of the pedestrianised street adjacent to bollards, trees and benches."

The operation of the eating area is also expected to be subject to rules, which force it to be moved when Parliament Street is used for markets.

"It is considered that the proposed pavement caf would further add to the vitality of this already busy shopping street, to the benefit of the viability of the city centre," said Mr Carr.

The application will be considered on Thursday.

Updated: 10:02 Saturday, September 01, 2001