DORSET county council's planning committee on Friday is being recommended to write the final chapter in a long-running saga by approving plans to extend Christchurch library into the adjoining Kelly's Kitchen restaurant premises.

County library officials say more space is needed to accommodate the 5,000 visitors a week to the library housed in the 19th century former High Street home of historian and benefactor Herbert Druitt.

And to provide the extra shelf space and meet disabled access requirements without building an expensive and unsightly extension to the library - a grade II listed building in the Christchurch conservation area and bordering the Druitt Gardens - they propose to reclaim the part of the property leased to the restaurant business.

But the threat to the popular restaurant provoked widespread public opposition, 3,500 letters, a 7,000-name petition and a formal objection from Christchurch council when the scheme was considered by county planners in December.

The level of local opposition led county councillors to defer their decision in December and again last month when members voted to make a site visit before giving - or denying - themselves planning permission.

Now more than a year after first floating the scheme, county hall officers are still recommending approval for their proposals to oust the restaurant and replace the glazing and canopies with a façade more in keeping with the Georgian origins of the building and its location.

In his report to Friday's committee meeting, planning officer Christopher Stokes says: "In summary, the library is a very busy library which is too small. Alternative options have been looked at and a logical and a careful approach developed with three phases.

"The incorporation of the area currently occupied by Kelly's Kitchen and where the lease has expired is the second phase of the agreed approach and is the most cost-effective and logical next step in terms of public access, compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act, service, cost and minimising disruption to provision of the Library service.

"The service provides an important community service for people of all ages in Christchurch and from the surrounding area."