New threat to cafe in library plans redesign

Revised plans to expand the town's cramped Druitt library into the adjoining Kelly's Kitchen restaurant premises have been drawn up by Dorset County Council.

The redesigned scheme follows the withdrawal of an earlier bid in the wake of objections from borough planners and heritage watchdogs over the impact on the Georgian Grade II listed building and the town centre conservation area.

But the loudest outcry came from restaurant tenants Rose and Terry Kelly and their loyal customers who stirred up more than 2,000 objections to the loss of the popular High Street café.

Dorset County Council, which owns the building and will make the final decision on the plans, has been negotiating with the Kellys since their lease expired in 2003.

Cllr David Crowhurst, county council cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "We are aware that some local people have concerns about what will happen to Kelly's Kitchen."

"Obtaining planning permission and securing the funding for the project could still be some way off, and there is no intention to move Kelly's Kitchen until we are ready to start work."

Library bosses say expansion into the restaurant premises is needed to cater for the 5,000 visitors a week using the library with more space, extra books and computers, better seating and study areas, a lift and an upstairs room for community use and relocation of the county's registration service.

County council head of cultural services Paul Leivers said: "Compared to Dorset's other main libraries, such as Ferndown or Weymouth, Christchurch suffers from a gross under-provision. It is cramped, there is a far smaller stock of books and other facilities, and the space for study, seating and children's activities is totally inadequate."

The plans will now go back for comments from the borough council and other bodies as well as public consultation before being decided by the county council's planning committee later in the year.