PROPOSALS are set to go before district planning chiefs to build a new two-storey beach cafe/bistro at a Purbeck beauty spot.

The Lulworth Estate wants to demolish the existing toilet block and pump house on the 940-square metre site, at Lulworth Cove, West Lulworth, to make way for the new build.

Aside from the cafe/bistro, there would also be a new toilet block constructed and a first floor terraced area to the west, south and east of the building, which would be around 60-metres from the shoreline.

These proposals will be debated by Purbeck District Council's (PDC) planning committee at Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham, on Wednesday (Dec 19), before a decision is made.

A report from PDC case officer Peter Walters, which will go before the committee, recommends members grant permission for the scheme.

Dorset County Council does not object to the proposals, nor does PDC's design and conservation officer.

The council has received 20 comments from neighbours and residents about the application, and 19 of these are objections.

Key points from those opposed include the possible impact on the character of the area and the appreciation of Lulworth Cove; concerns about the quality of design; inappropriate scale of the building; lack of parking provision; and the loss of the pump house, which retains historic machinery.

PDC planning committee members will visit the site ahead of their Wednesday meeting.

Mr Walters, writing in the accompanying report, explained: "The public toilets are considered by officers to be an important community facility for the area.

"In this instance, it is important to retain and improve the public toilets in this location to provide a suitable facility for users of the cove.

"The district council has an agreement with the Weld Estate that toilets in the village at the visitor centre are for public use, but upon transfer of the toilets in the current planning application site, that agreement terminated.

"This now means that the toilets on the application site are now the only public toilets available in the cove.

"In any event, it is unlikely that beach users will be willing to travel the distance to use the toilets in the visitor centre. The need can therefore not be met within the settlement."