THE final curtain has fallen on a long-running campaign to save a thriving local cafe after councillors voted in favour of closing it to expand the neighbouring library.

The relentless fight by Terry and Rose Kelly, who run Kelly’s Kitchen in the High Street with their daughter Jo, proved ineffective as councillors on the planning committee gave the green light to their own change of use plans.

Despite the Kelly family collecting more than 13,000 signatures and letters of objection from their regulars and visitors, the planning committee in Dorchester decided to proceed with their own officers’ recommendation for the £2.46 million expansion.

Cllr David Jones, head of Christchurch Borough Council planning committee, said: “This is an appalling decision, which was decided on the basis of a one-sided report.

“I am very disappointed with the planning committee’s decision and am very sorry that the officers did not give proper attention to the clause about the closure hitting the vitality of this town.

“This is a massive blow for Christchurch town centre.”

The work is considered essential due to cramped space, lack of resources and a need to provide more children’s activities.

County council leader Cllr Angus Campbell said: “This is a tremendously important project for the people of Christchurch.

“We acknowledge the concerns of people who have supported Kelly’s Kitchen.

“However, the planning committee thoroughly considered this application on its planning merits.

“There is a lot of local support in favour of extending the library.

“This project is something that will give all current residents of Christchurch, and future generations, a much improved quality of library service.”

The 5-2 decision comes as a massive blow for the family and their customers, who have always maintained there is room for both facilities to exist and have had alternative plans drawn up detailing this option.

But according to county officers, who were asked to look again at the alternatives after a deferral decision in May, expanding into Kelly’s Kitchen was still the best option, despite it still not providing all the space eventually required for the whole extension.

Concerns over the faceless High Street frontage, loss of vitality to a recession-hit town centre and representations from the Chamber of Trade, Christchurch Borough Council, customers, legal representatives and architects could not persuade councillors to reject the long-running plans.

Terry Kelly said: “Obviously we are not happy with the decision, which is very disappointing.

“The case was presented as if there weren’t any choices, when it is not like that at all.

“I think the new planning committee took the easy option and went along with the officers’ decision without really considering the impact it will have on the town.”

Solicitor Lionel Fynn, who has been acting on the Kellys’ behalf, said: “I find it very odd that at the last meeting the committee adjourned so that alterations could be considered.

“But this time there were directives that no alternatives should be taken into account.”