A GLIMMER of hope for the owners of Kelly’s Kitchen has been dashed a week before their application goes before committee.

Terry and Rose Kelly’s application to move into the empty Jarvis Radio premises has been recommended for refusal by officers due to the number of cafes in the town.

But in a report issued by officers a week before the committee are due to meet, they do recommend approval for proposed alterations to the premises, which were submitted in a separate application.

Officers say that while the move for the cafe will not harm the character and appearance of the area or neighbouring properties, the loss of an A1 retail unit would have a detrimental impact on establishing a strong retail mix in the town centre.

Currently the council’s policy means no more than 20 per cent of units in the town centre can be cafes or restaurants.

But in the draft Core Strategy document, due to go out to consultation in March, there are proposals to raise this threshold to 30 per cent.

However, in the report to go before councillors on Thursday’s planning committee, council officer Mark Taylor explains that this is an “emerging” policy and can only be given limited weight.

Objections to the application include a representation from the council’s economic development officer Paul Riley who said: “The application property is a relatively large and prominent retail unit located centrally in the High Street and should, in my view, remain an A1 use to help ensure that Christchurch town centre retains its functions as a viable shopping destination.”

Twenty-seven letters of support have been submitted along with one letter of objection.

Terry Kelly said: “If this does get refused then we will not appeal the decision.

“It will be greatly disappointing for us and all of our loyal customers.”