The owners of a beleaguered Christchurch café have told county councillors; “You haven’t got the money to complete your library plans.”

Kelly’s Kitchen proprietors Rose and Terry Kelly have written to councillors at Dorset asking them to reconsider proceeding with the long-running battle in light of recent public spending cuts announcements.

The Kellys have been fighting for years to allow both a library expansion and the restaurant to exist in the High Street in Christchurch but a planning application was approved last year by Dorset County Council allowing the library expansion into the next-door restaurant.

More than 15,000 people signed a petition and wrote to the council opposing the scheme last year.

And now, after applying to the High Court for a judicial review of the planning decision the Kelly’s are trying to persuade councillors to consider whether the £2million scheme is justified.

Terry Kelly said: “The purpose of the letter is to issue a heartfelt plea for common sense to prevail at long last.

“We all know that the financial outlook for all local authorities in a bleak one because of the public spending squeeze and Dorset County Council is no exception.

“We are urging all the elected members to consider whether Dorset County Council can any longer justify the planned library refurbishment, which will surely now be more than the £2million capital costs originally estimated.”

Cllr Hilary Cox, cabinet member for community services at Dorset County Council said: “Christchurch is one of the busiest libraries in Dorset, but is very small and cramped.

“To improve the service for such a large town, national guidance indicates that it should be much bigger.

“The library has long needed to be refurbished and expanded, and the money to do this has been included in our capital programme for some time.

“We remain committed to delivering this extremely important project for the people of Christchurch.”