THE National Trust has submitted an official planning application to relocate 31 beach huts at Studland's Middle Beach.

These huts are considered vulnerable to coastal erosion after they took a battering during Storm Angus last November.

If the proposals are agreed by Purbeck District Council the huts will be relocated further up the beach.

Meanwhile, trust bosses are currently in talks with Studland Parish Council about proposals for the overall future of the beach's facilities.

Following an outpouring of concern from hut-owners and beach visitors, last year, the National Trust decided to 're-engage' with the community over that particular issue.

Ultimately, the trust wants to relocate Middle Beach Cafe and the toilet block, and remove the sea defences protecting them. But in December National Trust assistant director of operations, Ian Wilson, said they would hold fire on any decisions and discuss the issue over the winter.

Mr Wilson said: "We've set up a joint working group with Studland Parish Council to go through the issues again.

"Over the winter we will take down the old sea school building which is at immediate risk, but the toilets and the cafe will be staying while we talk to people about the overall issues."

Around 3,000 people signed petitions in 2016 opposing the closure of the toilet block and the cafe.

Beach-goers want the sea defences to be improved, but the National Trust - which wants to adopt a policy of non-intervention at Middle Beach - says they are reaching the end of their natural lifespan and should not be replaced.

In October the National Trust held a public exhibition at Studland Village Hall detailing its plans for Middle Beach.

Members of the public can comment on the latest hut relocation proposals by visiting Purbeck District Councils online planning page, quoting reference number 6/2016/0773.