Talks are to take place after a planning row that saw a celebrity chef threaten to withdraw support for a town after being refused permission for a wooden deck at his restaurant.

Mark Hix, owner of The Oyster and Fish House, installed a large wood deck at his restaurant in Lyme Regis which was automatically approved as a result of loosened planning regulations during the pandemic.

Mr Hix subsequently applied to have the structure remain permanently but the town council opposed the proposals.

Now the council and Mr Hix are set to meet before Christmas to discuss their respective positions prior to a ‘review’ of the council’s position.

Mr Hix, who has appeared on Saturday Kitchen and Great British Menu, initially fumed with the decision to reject his application.

As reported, he said: “We have got the best reputation of any restaurant in the town and the small-minded council should be on our side.

"Anything that brings tourism to the town events, festivals, local charities connected to the town council and tourism will be withdrawn.

"I might even take the wood from the terrace and set fire to it outside the town hall."

It had been suggested that Mr Hix would withdraw support for the RNLI if he had to remove the decking. When approached for comment, he said: “I would stress that I categorically didn’t say I wasn’t supporting the Fishermen’s Mission and (RNLI)."

Town clerk John Wright said: “The mayor and myself are due to meet with Mark Hix next week to clarify the respective positions and the council will meet in January to review its own position.”

Lyme Regis Town Council had said the decking had a detrimental impact on public gardens.

Any final decision on the application would be made on by Dorset Council - it is understood a new application is being drawn up by Mr Hix though the local authority has yet to receive notice of one.

A separate pub owned by Mark Hix, The Fox Inn in Corscombe, closed down in July as a result of rising costs and ‘difficulties recruiting staff’. 

Dorset Council said they were unable to comment on planning applications until a final decision had been made.