PLANS to improve coastal defences at a Christchurch beach have been labelled "totally unacceptable" by residents - with calls to spend the money on Highcliffe zig zag.

The application by Christchurch Borough Council seeks to raise the middle section of Avon Beach promenade to aid flood prevention and coastal erosion risk protection.

If approved, the £120,000 scheme would see the 900mm structure join existing raised defences at either end of the promenade.

The plans are now due before the council's planning committee and received a lively response from the public.

Only one response to the plans fully supported the raising of the promenade as outlined in the application.

Several voiced concerns over the choice of materials cited in the development and others called for cycling to be banned along the promenade.

However, the majority called for the plans to be scrapped all together and money invested in repairing Highcliffe zig zag.

The council decided to permanently close the zig zag rather than fund the repair, which was reported to cost £1.25 million.

One resident objecting to the Avon Beach scheme, said: "This is totally unacceptable. It appears this is to suit the owner of the Hungry Lobster due to the fact he doesn't store away beach huts as has been done for many years.

"This is obviously due to the fact they are using the storage area for private parking.

"There has been no land slides or damage to sea defence wall.

"I feel the zig zag path in Highcliffe is a priority for resident council tax payers, not protecting a local businessman's beach huts."

Another resident said: "Christchurch Council's priority should, and must, be the disabled, the infirm, the young and all those who have used the zig zag path at Highcliffe Castle.

"All of the above can already access all of Avon Beach.

"The raising of the promenade should be postponed (the concrete blocks can be reinstalled for the winter to protect the huts) and the money spent on building a superb - and long lasting - replacement of the zig zag path."

In support of the plans, a resident said: "An excellent proposal which will help minimise coastal erosion, enhance flood protection, minimise risk to walkers along the surface by eliminating discontinuity and significantly improve enjoyment of the beach."

Christchurch Borough Council's planning committee next meet on September 14, however the agenda for the meeting is yet to be released.