AN update on the future of the TV beach huts project at Highcliffe will be given to the leader of Christchurch council this week (17/9).

At a fraught full council meeting last Tuesday evening, West Highcliffe ward member Cllr David Jones asked the leader, Ray Nottage, two questions on the subject.

The first asked if Cllr Nottage could confirm that the proposal to build large beach huts had been terminated, with no further action likely to be taken on the proposal.

Responding, Cllr Nottage claimed the background to the beach huts lay in council plans stretching back to 2008.

He said: "Highcliffe ward councillors will be updating me at a meeting on September 17 as to what direction they will recommend to the controlling group in respect of this whole issue."

The controversial project to build 12 overnight huts ended when production company Plum Pictures pulled out of the deal following weeks of protest and opposition from residents.

But in an email to all Conservative members last month, Cllr Nottage said the issue would be discussed at a private group meeting this Saturday.

Asking a second question, Cllr Jones said: "Would the leader not agree that the final verdict on these beach huts, whether good, bad or whatever, should be left to the electorate of Christchurch?"

Cllr Nottage said he, along with Cllr Trevor Watts, Cllr Margaret Phipps and Cllr Claire Bath were "tasked" by the policy and resources committee to resolve the issue of the beach huts following the public's protest.

"However we take no credit as the matter was handled in partnership with officers who in my opinion acted in an exemplary way throughout", he told the full council meeting.

"Can I also point out that the issue of beach huts is also something which is included in the plans from a 'Vision for Highcliffe', which was prepared by the Highcliffe residents some time ago."

The Daily Echo could only find one reference to building beach huts at Highcliffe in the Vision for Highcliffe documents.

There was also a reference calling for no beach huts, as well as people suggesting a pier and a musical performance area would be a good idea.