IT is a waiting game for the owners of Kelly’s Kitchen in Christchurch as they prepare themselves for a decision in their High Court challenge against Dorset County Council.

The judicial review of the controversial decision by the council to grant itself planning permission for an extension of the town centre library into the popular restaurant was mounted last year following the decision in August.

Proprietors of the restaurant Rose and Terry Kelly say the decision was unlawful.

Their challenge is based on three grounds which include the council not considering alternative schemes, despite being instructed to by its own planning committee, as well as not considering whether the scheme was actually needed with the final reason being that the decision was unreasonable.

A previous decision by the council was quashed by the High Court on appeal in 2008 because it did not comply with town and county planning regulations.

Terry Kelly said: “We’re really just sitting tight and waiting for a decision now.

“Every day people are still asking us what is happening. There is still a lot of support.

“We’ve had to go ahead and make some improvements to the restaurant because we can’t keep putting them off.

“The decision seems even more ridiculous looking at the way Christchurch is going. We’re still busy and that’s what’s important.

“If the council are going to have to make further cuts then will this project be one of them?”

The council says the £2.46million library expansion is desperately needed with national guidance indicating the library should be three times its current size.

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: “A judgement is awaited, and we understand the court will announce this shortly.”