A STORM has blown up over a parasol on Poole Quay which shelters customers from the whims of the weather.

The £8,500 parasol has been outside the Grade II*- listed Custom House for eight years but Poole planners took exception when owner Mark Heffer secured it by cutting a hole through the “historic” paving.

An application to retain the parasol outside the picturesque building goes before planners on Thursday and the officers’ recommendation is to refuse.

“I’m disappointed,” said Mark.

“It’s quite pathetic to be honest. It’s there just to give shelter from the wind and rain and shine.

“Out of the ground, it’s fine. It can blow over or people can trip over it, that’s fine. Having it securely put into the ground is not.”

Recently it had twice blown along the quay and the “historic” paving slabs were not even 20 years old, he said.

“I think it’s 100 per cent in keeping with the Quay.

It’s suitable and not covered with advertising and it’s not an eye-sore against the ancient monument,”

he said, in reference to the adjacent medieval town cellars.

Support has come from ward councillor Carol Evans who said: “It’s a local business important to the economy of the Quay and the parasol has been there several summers now. It’s not an eyesore and it is in keeping.”

Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole Tourism Management Board, said the building had been brought back to life as a successful café/restaurant and had helped move the quay away from its drinking image.

“Not only does the ‘fixed-in’ parasol look more aesthetically pleasing (as the weights to hold it in place are no longer required), it also makes it safer by eradicating a trip hazard,” he said.

Warren Lever, planning team leader at the Borough of Poole, said: “The Custom House is a listed building of significant architectural and historic value and is a feature of one of Poole’s most important heritage spaces.

“When it is open, the size, scale and height of the parasol obstructs views of this landmark building.

“The work carried out to make the parasol a permanent structure has been done without the necessary consent for a listed building and has involved cutting a hole through the historic pavement.”