NO consultation was carried out over the TV competition to build beach huts at Highcliffe because of "commercial sensitivity".

Objections have been raised by campaigners from the Friends of Highcliffe Beaches and Cliffs, who are calling for the scheme to be scrapped.

The competition to design one of 12 beach huts for Highcliffe has been organised by Christchurch council and the producers of George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Judging of the designs has been pushed back slightly due to a "large number" of schemes submitted, a council spokesperson said.

An announcement of the winning 12 designs was supposed to take place last Friday.

But their suitability needs to be assessed by building control and coast protection officers before a final decision is made, they added.

A revised date for the final decision has not been agreed. Construction - which will be done off site - was due to start this week.

The council confirmed the beach retreats will not need planning permission as they are covered by permitted development.

This covers buildings not exceeding four metres in height, which is the maximum height of the beach huts.

The spokesperson said: "The decision to go ahead with the proposal was made at both Community Services and Resources Committee as an exempt item because of the commercial sensitivity.

"Until the council agreed to take part, the programme could not be commissioned and therefore other companies may have used the idea.

"As the proposed format was a competition, competition rules require a fixed period for submission of designs and any announcement or debate would have allowed prospective designers to start work before the competition was announced."

They added: "Those beach huts which are shortlisted for possible construction will be assessed by CBC Building Control and Coast Protection teams to ensure their stability and assess any potential impact on coast protection or the stability of the cliffs."