ANOTHER attempt has been launched to carry out an extension at a popular beachfront restaurant in Christchurch - and the applicants say they have learned from previous proposals.

The plans for the Noisy Lobster at Mudeford would see the eatery's capacity increase by 38 covers through converting a staff flat and enlarging the first floor of the building.

The restaurant has been looking to carry out development work for some time, but previous proposals have faced a backlash from residents.

An initial application for a large first floor extension was withdrawn at the start of last year, before a subsequent proposal was rejected in September, 2016 following 131 letters of objection and a 479-signature petition.

The applicants appealed the decision made by Christchurch Borough Council to the planning inspectorate, however following an inspection, the officer sided with the local authority and dismissed the appeal in May this year.

Now the restaurant's owners have submitted new plans to the council, which the applicants say have taken on board the criticisms made by the appeal inspector.

These appraisals related to the scale of the proposed extension over the top of the existing flat roof on the western side of the building.

The latest proposal. which is considerably smaller than previous applications, seeks to add a 3.9m extension along the full 10.6m depth of the first floor over a section of the flat roof on the western side of the building.

Two additional extensions are included in the scheme, at the south eastern corner and east elevation section of the first floor and a small forward projection of the existing mansard roof at the south western corner of the building.

The latter of these extensions is to create headroom above a new staircase, which is part of the application.

A supporting planning statement says the applicants have not dwelt on matters raised by past objections concerning late night noise, disturbance and inadequacy of on-site car parking provision based on the planning inspectors letter, which implies these are not material considerations.

The statement adds: "The appeal decision letter identifies the prospective loss of an important vista and a negative impact of the extended building (in terms of its dominance) upon the character and appearance of the surrounding area as being the principal material considerations in this instance.

"The existing first floor owners/staff flat has been underused over past years and, given LPA and appeal inspector resistance to large scale first floor extension, it makes very good sense to utilise its floor area to provide the required restaurant seating.

"The three elements of extension will also greatly improve the functionality of the commercial premises for the reasons stated in this planning report."

If approved, the restaurant would also feature a new first floor kitchen and customer toilets, as well as a rearranged staff room.

Residents have until November 22 to have their say on the application.