PLANS to build 12 new beach huts on top of another block of huts at Canford Cliffs have been submitted to planners.

It is the latest application to be submitted to the council as part of its £5.4million scheme to improve the town’s seafront.

The scheme will see 145 new huts built, 147 rebuilt and 28 revamped across the borough’s beaches.

It was revised last year due to concerns with cliff stability at Canford Cliffs, following a landslip at Bournemouth’s East Cliff in April which prompted Borough of Poole to carry out its own assessment of seafront cliffs.

And in November last year Borough of Poole started submitting planning applications for the new beach huts.

The latest plan will see a first floor extension built on top of an existing beach hut block at Canford Cliffs near to the footpath which links Chaddesley Glen to the beach.

As well as the 12 additional huts it will include an external walkway and staircase to the existing block, known as block eight.

The block of huts to the west of the proposed site is already two-storeys.

According to the Design and Access statement: “The proposed extension will retain the proportions of the existing building but the overall appearance shall be vastly improved by the cladding of the building in weatherboarding which is low maintenance and appropriate to a coastal location.

“The shallow pitched roof will enable drainage of rain water from the roof, again to minimise maintenance issues arising but adds visual interest to the building and accords with the character and appearance of the area.”

As part of the borough’s seafront plans six new huts have already been constructed in Sandbanks. Four are set to be built at Flaghead, 94 at Canford Cliff West, 37 at Canford Cliff East and four at Branksome Dene.

Cllr John Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment and beaches, said: “Our Blue Flag beaches are a fantastic asset and it is vital that we invest to ensure their long-term future and that they remain a great place for residents and visitors to Poole.”