PLANS to replace almost 120 storm-damaged beach huts have been given the go-ahead – despite objections to the scheme.

Civic chiefs have approved a £1.25m proposal to bulldoze the privately-owned huts at Milford on Sea and build similar facilities on the same site.

New Forest District Council is now facing a race against time to provide the new huts before the start of next summer.

A planning application is likely to be submitted in the autumn with a view to starting work next March – weather permitting.

The 118 huts, on council-owned land on the promenade, were battered by 80mph winds on February 14 and many of them were destroyed in the Valentine’s day storms.