A RESTAURANT owner might be forced to remove a parasol from outside his premises, following objections about its impact on the surrounding area.

Pete Browne and his wife Lynne took over Pepper and Oz, on Abbey Road, in March and refurbished the premises, adding an outdoor seating area, surrounded by wooden planters and covered with a parasol.

Following objections about the parasol, Mr Browne has submitted a retrospective planning application to Malvern Hills District Council.

Mr Browne said: "It's all a bit of a moot point really - we were told if the structure was bolted to the ground it would need permission.

"We did not bolt the parasol to the floor, we do leave it out most nights, but it can be removed."

He has also applied for retrospective listed building consent to remove the existing awning, which was attached to the frontage of the building.

However, both applications have been recommended for refusal by planning officers, who say the parasol obscures the ground floor of the listed building, and part of the neighbouring Abbey Gateway, and harms the setting.

"I can't really believe it," added Mr Browne.

"The old awning was tatty and falling apart, so we took it down.

"We think this enhances the area, and a great deal of our customers compliment us on it, saying it's just what Malvern needs.

"We purposely didn't opt for a bright and garish design, with advertising all over it, so that it would fit in."

He said the planters added to the ethos of Malvern in Bloom, and said he bought new hanging baskets for the nearby Malvern Museum too.

Both applications will be discussed at the Southern Area Development Control Committee meeting, at Priory Lodge Hall, at 7pm, on Wednesday, May 23.