BEACH huts at Highcliffe will cost the council up to £130,000, with permission still needed from Natural England before building can begin.

Last week the council said each designer of the TV beach retreats would be given £8,000.

They have now confirmed a budget of up to £130,000 was approved at a meeting of the resources committee last year, where the public and press were excluded.

A council spokesperson said: "A provisional budget of up to £130k was approved by resources committee as part of the Capital Programme, that was to cover the cost of each hut and the foundation slab, plus additional water supply, drainage requirements and other unforeseen infrastructure unknown at that time.

"The committee considered there was a sound business case for the investment, as well as the improvements the provision of the huts could bring to the local economy."

The competition to build the beach retreats on the SSSi cliffs at Highcliffe is a project between the council and the producers of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces.

It has attracted criticism from residents and Christchurch MP Chris Chope about the lack of public consultation and 'inappropriate' location.

Mr Chope asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Natural England had agreed to the proposal for 12 beach huts on the cliff side.

He was told by MP Rory Stewart: "Natural England is currently in discussions with the council to ensure that it has all the relevant information to enable it to understand the implications for the cliffs and their current and future management.

"The council will require SSSI consent for the proposed development but no request for this consent has yet been received by Natural England."

Cllr Margaret Phipps, portfolio holder for the environment said discussions had taken place with Natural England "since the very earliest approach."

"This was to ensure they had no objections to what was being proposed.

They had advised on what would be acceptable, and where any huts could be located to avoid damage to the SSSI.

"Until the final designs and sites have been selected it is not possible to submit a formal application to Natural England."

"Natural England must give their approval for the construction and location of the huts before any work can start on site."