PLANS to extend a seafront restaurant in Mudeford have been recommended for refusal over concerns it will be "visually intrusive".

The proposal to extend the Noisy Lobster at Avon Beach into the first floor has attracted 131 letters of objection, as well as a petition signed by 479 people.

The latest scheme for the eatery follows a number of recent extensions and alterations to the site.

It would provide an extra 46 covers, and comes after a similar proposal earlier this year asked for an external terrace, although the plans were later withdrawn.

Cafe owners, Peter and Steve Hayward, organised a public meeting with objectors over the issues, saying they were frustrated by accusations of over development.

A report due to go before Thursday's planning committee also raises concerns from Environmental Health over the noise from early morning deliveries and waste collection.

The officer recommends appropriate hours of operation, as well as advising keeping the windows closed if music is played.

The council's landscape and tree officer also has concerns about the wider landscape and public amenity of the area.

"Views of the site are gained from beach, car park and green open space, these are all well used year round.

"The additional bulk of the proposal, especially being at first floor level, will increase the dominance of the current built form and add to its piecemeal appearance to the detriment of the wider public visual amenity and character of the area."

Some of the comments from residents complain about the "creeping continuous development" as well as the impact on vista from the cliff path.

Planning officer Jo Cleaves said: "The wider site has recently been the subject of a significant level of development and it is considered that the current proposal in combination with the other structures within the site would result in an overdeveloped and unsympathetic form of development which would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the coastal zone."

Her report to the committee adds that the level of activity "could be considered to have reached capacity".

It concludes: "The proposal would obstruct and detract from existing vistas both within the immediate and wider locality."