BUCKSHAW Village is set for its first restaurant as the rapidly expanding community takes shape.

Plans have been submitted by Refosco Ltd, which runs Tiggis in Preston, for an Italian restaurant, takeaway and delicatessen.

The plans for the Station Road business include provision for live music and dancing inside and outdoors and late night opening until 1am at the weekends.

Brian Hann, from the village’s community association, said: “A vibrant restaurant is just what the area needs.

"I think it would be the kind of place residents here would want on their doorstep, especially with a deli-counter and live music.”

Simon Lloyd, 31, from Central Avenue in the village, said: “A rest-aurant like this and the other improvements such as the railway station will help Buckshaw get more of an identity.

“A good restaurant will also get more visitors coming here and they will see the attractions of the village.”

The possibility of an eatery is the latest in a string of developments at the village including a new primary school, a Tesco superstore, which both opened last year, and a pub, The Bobbin Mill, which launched in 2007.

Next year will see a long-awaited railway sta-tion on the Manchester to Blackpool line open and plans have recently been rubber-stamped for a medical centre with 12 consulting rooms, three treatment rooms and a minor operations suite.

Up to 2,000 new homes are being built at Buckshaw by various housebuilders and the area is also home to huge commercial and ware-housing developments.

The planning appli-cation is currently under consultation.

The licence to operate has been requested to begin in March 2012.