COUNCILLORS have raised concerns about plans to install beach huts along the promenade at West Bay.

Members of Bridport Town Council's plans committee discussed the proposals by West Dorset District Council to place up to 50 beach huts on the pedestrianised esplanade under West Cliff.

The beach huts could be used from March to September and would measure no more than 1.8m by 1.8m.

Cllr Dave Rickard is concerned about "cliff slippage" from West Cliff affecting the proposed beach huts.

He said: "Even if people think they are a good idea, I do not think that number can be fitted in without cliff slippage becoming a problem.

"It is not beyond the realms of possibility to think that this area could slide. It is more problematic that this are suffers from land slippage, rather than rock falls."

Cllr Geoff Ackerman is also not convinced by the idea, describing the plans as "more trouble than it is worth".

Leader of the town council, Cllr Sarah Williams is concerned that the beach huts may not be protected from extreme weather.

She said: "If we have beach huts here as proposed, as soon as we get a big storm coming in, which we often do, we are going to have beach huts on the beach and everywhere."

Cllr John Russell, West Dorset District Council’s executive portfolio holder for environmental protection and assets, said that public safety would be paramount to any proposals.

He said: “We’re exploring the possibility of beach huts in West Bay on a seasonal basis.

“The idea is currently in its early stages and we’re looking to gain feedback from Bridport Town Council alongside those views of the West Bay Community Forum in order to help inform considerations.

“We are aware of concerns regarding the potential positioning of the huts, however the desired location is short of the cliffs and has the protection of a retaining wall. Public safety is always top of our priorities and we feel confident that the suggested location is safe for huts to be positioned.”

Sam Rose, World Heritage Site manager for the Jurassic Coast team, believes the proposed site is below cliffs which have remained stable.

He said: "On that bit of the Esplanade, the cliffs there have been stable for a very long time.

"If you look at it, it is covered in vegetation, which shows that there has not been movement in a very long time.

"If the huts were placed a bit further along, there has been some movement there which could possibly pose problems."