Plans to restore beaches in Christchurch by pumping sand from Mudeford Sandbank have been submitted.

Christchurch council plans to pump sediment and stone from the tip of Mudebank Sandbank across the Run via a submerged pipeline to Gundimore and Avon Beach.

The plans have been given to council planners following severe storms earlier this year, the worst being overnight on February 14.

A planning report, drawn up by the council, says that storms during last winter depleted the beaches east of Mudeford Quay, ‘undermining existing walls and groynes’.

It adds: “Unless these beaches are rebuilt to their design standard, the coast protection structures will be at risk of further damage, potentially putting properties at risk.”

If approved, the scheme is likely to operate during the low spring tide between April 15 and 22 next year.

There are likely to be two operations, lasting around two hours each, every day.

And if the weather in April means the scheme cannot go ahead, it will take place between May 14 and 21.

Cllr Margaret Phipps, portfolio holder for the environment at Christchurch Council, said: “The beach replenishment scheme is necessary to replace beach material that was lost during the storms of last winter.

“The northern tip of Mudeford sandspit is the preferred location to retrieve the beach material from because the sand is of a similar type to that at Gundimore beach. The work will be funded by a grant from the Environment Agency and a contribution from Christchurch Borough Council.”

As well as reducing beach levels, the storms last year decimated beach huts at Avon Beach and led to the evacuation of residents from their homes.

And earlier this year, council leader Ray Nottage said the true cost of the storm damage could rise to £2million.