Hundreds have rallied behind a “maverick businessman” fighting council demands to demolish part of his much-loved restaurant.

Canterbury City Council has ordered Mehmet Dari to tear down a glass enclosure built around the outdoor seating area of A La Turka in Herne Bay, over claims it obstructs the county council’s access to utilities.

But an online petition - which has gained more than 800 supporters since launching on Sunday - is now calling for the restaurateur to be given more time, branding the council’s demand “unreasonable" and " a waste of taxpayers' money”.

Deborah Salsbury, who started the campaign, lives near the Turkish restaurant in Central Parade and often visits with her family and friends.

“Mehmet Ali Dari is a maverick businessman,” said Ms Salsbury.

“He is one of the few people who continues to invest his time and money into Herne Bay.

"He transforms derelict and run-down buildings into thriving restaurants, which both locals and tourists flock to and he is one of the biggest employers in town.

“Serving this notice and actioning this demolition is unreasonable and would be a waste of taxpayers' money.

“This is totally unacceptable at any time, let alone in a cost of living crisis.

“Cut the red tape, KCC, and do the right thing,” she added.

Mr Dari, who also has A La Turka branches in Canterbury and Ramsgate and is set to launch another in Whitstable, erected the 'extension' outside the front of the Turkish restaurant in Central Parade in the summer of 2019.

But following a city council probe, he was forced to apply three months ago for retrospective permission for the glazed shelter, which has a capacity for 30 customers.

However, the bid was rejected by planning officers after Kent County Council (KCC) said it would be "at odds with the public interest” and "encroaches" onto land KCC has access rights to.

As such, a notice has been served on Mr Dari to remove the enclosure or face enforcement action.

“I have been supporting this community in Herne Bay for 20 years and the local people are supporting me because they know the difference the restaurant makes in the town,” said Mr Dari.

“It’s not just about me, it’s about local people, the customers, the employees, the whole community is being affected.

“I have around 20 employees here - they are all local people, they have families to take care of.

“If we tear down the outside enclosure, half the capacity of the restaurant will go. What am I supposed to tell my workers then?

Mehmet Dari showcases his transformation of the land next to his Herne Bay restaurant

“Instead of trying to bully us, work with us, and let’s see what can be done - don’t just come to us and say demolish the front of the restaurant," added the eatery boss.

Mr Dari also runs the Grapevine wine and meze bar and Sunset Fish Bar in the town.

Last summer, he bought a parcel of land next to A La Turka for £500,000, with the intention of building a £4 million boutique hotel.

Until the plans are submitted and approved, he is using the plot as an outdoor seating area, having installed glass pods.

Further along the seafront, he has plans for a new fish restaurant called The Cookhouse near the foot of the pier.

And in Canterbury, he has submitted plans to convert a tiny storage room in Westgate Gardens into a Champagne café.

A KCC spokesperson said: “The retrospective planning application was refused by Canterbury City Council (CCC).

“In accordance with CCC’s decision, we have served notice on the business to remove this structure, which has been illegally constructed over the public highway.

“As a council, we have a duty to protect the public interest and that of utility companies to access their underground apparatus to facilitate urgent and emergency works.”