RESIDENTS of Highcliffe have had their say on plans for new wooden seating to be installed on two clifftop shelters, with mixed reviews.

The wooden benches proposed for the shelter overlooking Highcliffe beach were design by Amanda Moore and are being fitted courtesy of Applewood Joinery Ltd in the spring.

Repairs and repainting has already been carried out on both clifftop shelters, with a blue and white paint used to the structure, a resin surfaces added to the existing plinth and stainless-steel trims fixed to protect the edges.

The timber slat seating, paid for by the Coastal Community Fund ‘People and Places’ project, will be made from Iroko, a durable wood native to West Africa. Plans for the benches also include a metre-wide wheelchair space and a lowered section described as a ‘child seat’.

The proposed plans have already been circulated on social media, with many residents unconvinced by the design.

Kathy Goodwin said: “Yikes! That makes me uncomfortable just looking at it. It's a good design to ensure nobody stays too long though.”

Linda Parsons added: “The middle section being sloped makes that bit uncomfortable, if not unusable. I'm all for innovative design, but this strikes me as somebody's act of vanity.”

Helen Cards said: “I guess it is supposed to look like waves to match the view from the seat. In my opinion, this will be very difficult for elderly and disabled people to sit on.

“A standard bench would have been far more practical. What a waste of money.”

Whilst some people on social media slated the design, others welcomed the change, commending the alternative design.

Terry Melling said: “I love it! Suitable for me with my long legs at one end, and me sliding off my walking aid at the other.

“[It] looks beautiful, won't hold puddles, rubbish for spraying graffiti, and you'll need to be pretty committed to destroy it! [I] hope it lives up to my expectations.”

“ [I] may be going against the flow here but I really like it,” said Chris Scade.

“He added: “I think there is going to be a straight seat on at least one side and also a wheelchair space.

“It’s great to see some attractive, contemporary design in Highcliffe.”

Bob Menz said: “What a great idea to have a lower end for small children, really great they are thinking of all the people not just the moaning lot.”

BCP Council is yet to decide on the proposal but its is believe the design is the “preferred option”.

A spokesperson from the council said: “A complete refurbishment programme of the shelters on Highcliffe Clifftop was started last autumn, and as part of that we will be installing new bespoke wooden seating later on in the spring.

“It is aimed at being as accessible as possible to families using the area, with wheelchair-friendly bays and lower sections for children to sit on.

"This has been 100% funded through the Coastal Community Fund ‘People and Places’ project, a Dorset-wide collaboration which was awarded £5.5m of Central Government funding for 18 coastal community projects in 2018.”