A BATTLE to save a Christchurch cafe from closure has been reignited as the reality of spending cuts at County Hall becomes clearer.

With Dorset County Council facing a £48.6 million funding shortfall, the owners of Kelly’s Kitchen in Christchurch are urging councillors to look again at approved plans to expand the High Street library.

Supported by their local MP, Chris Chope, the Kellys have written to councillors at Dorset ahead of today’s cabinet meeting, asking them to reconsider calling a halt to the £2.46m library plans.

In his letter, Terry Kelly said: “It’s clear that stopping this proposal would free up almost £3m of capital expenditure, save considerable future revenue spending and save the council from huge potential court costs that might be incurred by our judicial review scheduled for the High Court in January.

“In addition, if together we can reach an equitable agreement over a new lease for Kelly’s Kitchen, there would be income of around £40,000 a year coming into the council coffers.”

Following the council’s decision to approve the planning application allowing the library expansion into the next-door restaurant, the Kellys applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the planning decision.

The review is due to start on January 13 next year. A cabinet meeting today will look at the medium-term financial strategy for the council and includes recom-mendations for a moratorium on uncommitted capital spending. Until now the council has said it remains committed to the scheme.

Jonathon Slater, senior public relations officer at Dorset County Council, said as things stand, the plans to expand the library still remain in the capital programme.