THIS is the striking design chosen for four iconic new beach huts for disabled users, which are to be built at Boscombe.

But although the winning design, The Seagull and the Windbreak, won the unanimous approval of the judging panel, it did not make the original shortlist, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Back in July, 12 judges, including design expert Gerardine Hemingway, compiled a shortlist of five beach hut designs.

But the project board – which was mainly made up of Bournemouth council officers – invited a further three entries, including the winning design, to the final interview stage.

The eight finalists were interviewed in September by a seven-strong panel and The Seagull and the Windbreak was declared the winner.

Designed by Peter Francis Lewis, of Brighton-based consultancy AEREA in conjunction with a:b:i:r architects, the winner takes its inspiration from two of the most iconic symbols of the British seaside. They will be located to the west of Boscombe Pier and should be ready for disabled users to rent next summer.

The £100,000 scheme is part of the Sea Change project, which is investing £455,000 in Boscombe.

Andrew Emery, Boscombe Sea Change project manager, said the shortlist was expanded because none of the chosen five met all the design and accessibility criteria.

He said: “The winning team engaged fully with the brief to come up with a hut design which is both iconic and accessible. The new huts will be the first purpose-designed accessible beach huts in the UK.”

But Parry Brooks, of the Boscombe Cliffs Residents’ Association, said the controversy over the selection process had tarnished the project.

He said: “They had a team of designers to pick the shortlist. Why did they need to pick any more? The designers didn’t pick the eventual winner, which is just ridiculous.”