MP Chris Chope has launched a strong attack on Christchurch Council in Parliament over the controversial Highcliffe beach hut saga.

The MP criticised the project with TV production company Plum Pictures for being "clouded in secrecy" and potentially landing local residents with a bill of "many thousands of pounds" to pick up if the council ends up in breach of its contract.

In an adjournment debate in the Commons, Mr Chope said: "I am sure that the people of Christchurch will not allow this to rest until there is a proper holding to account of the people responsible."

He introduced the debate by telling the House: "Many councils recognise that if they are going to give permission for beach huts they should go through the normal planning procedures which involve an application, a consultation and so on.

"However Christchurch Borough Council has avoided doing that over many months to the extreme consternation of the public.

He told planning minister Gavin Barwell that the government needed to clarify planning law.

"The extent of the gap in our planning regime has been exposed by what has happened in recent months in Christchurch. The council is commendably keen to maximise utilisation of its assets."

But he added: "It seems that commercial considerations were to the fore when Christchurch councillors came into contact with Plum Pictures."

Mr Chope criticised the Conservative-controlled council for meetings held in private in which "they had been secretly cooking up a proposal."

He said had hoped to tell the House that "all had ended happily and that the application to Natural England had been withdrawn; that the proposal for residential beach huts had been withdrawn; that the rumoured alternative proposal for day huts had also been withdrawn; and that the council had agreed to go back to the ?drawing board and undertake proper consultation before even considering building any construction on or near the Highcliffe cliff top.

"There are still rumours circulating that the council might want to develop beach huts and that it might be liable for damages for breach of contract because the competition has been abandoned.

"Most of all, however, the continuing lack of transparency and accountability is adding to public anger and frustration. The council needs to declare openly that it will not proceed with any beach hut development at Highcliffe unless or until there has been full public consultation, including on the design, location and terms of use of any huts."