Controversial plans to transform a tiny riverside cottage into a two-storey Champagne café are set to be given the green light.

Restaurateur Mehmet Dari - who owns chain A La Turka - believes his vision for the property in Westgate Gardens, Canterbury, will improve the popular beauty spot.

Despite this, residents are urging the city council to snub the upmarket tearoom project - with one even branding it a "form of vandalism".

But local authority officials have this week thrown their weight behind the scheme by recommending planning committee members approve it at a meeting this week.

In newly published documents, they argue: "It is within a short distance of the city centre.

"No parking provision is required given its sustainable location and so the proposed development is unlikely to have any significant impact on the surrounding highways network."

Papers lodged with the local authority show Mr Dari wants to almost quadruple the building’s floor space from 20 m sq to 80 m sq.

The businessman insists he will maintain the character of the cottage, which sits within a conservation area.

Council officers also believe the development will "not be overbearing" to nearby properties.

"It is recommended that should planning permission be granted, a condition be attached restricting the hours of operation to 8am to 6pm in the winter and 8am to 8pm during the summer," they add.

"In light of this, it is considered the proposed café would not generate a significant level of noise and disturbance to nearby property occupiers."

The cottage – containing one ground-level room and a ceiling hatch to reach the first floor – used to be owned by the city council, which used it as a store.

Mr Dari snapped it up last year, in the wake of it going under the hammer with a guide price of £100,000.

After getting the planning permission approved for the extension and change of use, the restaurant magnate will also have to apply for a licence to serve alcohol on the premises.

He previously told KentOnline: "It will improve the area.

"The Dane John doesn’t have anywhere to get coffee or a drink or something to enjoy.

"There’s nothing in that park; if you want to go with the kids and walk around, there’s nothing to grab.

"It is a ludicrous idea and some might say a form of vandalism..."

"There was an application to convert it to a café before we bought it and it was granted, so I don’t know why it wouldn’t be approved again now."

However Deborah Parry, a volunteer at the Canterbury Umbrella Centre, has concerns about the project as she says parking is "very limited" on the site.

Neighbour Barbara Janiszewska is also urging councillors to reject the proposals.

"I am the nearest resident to this planning application and I do not support this at all," she said.

"It is a ludicrous idea and some might say a form of vandalism.

"I see that this will also be subject to an extension.

"I don’t understand why that beautiful historic little building is destined for this."

Councillors sitting on the authority's planning committee will vote on the proposals at 7pm tomorrow.