A planning probe has been launched into a controversial row of beach huts in a popular seaside spot which were lengthened by 6ft without permission from the council.
The company that run the classic wooden beach huts added almost 6ft to the length of some properties, prompting fear from residents in Christchurch, Dorset that they were taking over the public promenade.
Avon Beach Ltd had asked for retrospective planning permission for the 37 longer huts and permission to extend another 41 huts at Avon Beach in the tourist hotspot - in some cases narrowing the width of the promenade by more than a metre.
The application received 99 letters of objection, but there were also 110 people supporting the plan, including tourists who use the huts from as far as London, Essex, Kent and Leicestershire.
Some objectors said the company had only contributed so it could extend its beach huts. Avon Beach Ltd's retrospective planning application has since been denied by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, prompting an enforcement probe.
Those objecting accused the restaurant owners of 'ruining' the beach by making the promenade too narrow and said they had turned a beach cafe into an 'emporium' through a drip feed of planning applications.
A planning probe has been launched into a controversial row of recently extended beach huts that have divided both locals and tourists at Avon Beach, Christchurch
Some Dorset locals say the newly widened beach huts (pictured right) have made the beach-front public promenade 'an emporium-sized low grade jumble of buildings'
Michael Smith, from Christchurch, commented: 'This retrospective application is the 21st planning application made by the tenants in the last eight years.
'A drip feed of turning a sensitively-sized beach cafe into an emporium-sized low grade jumble of buildings. Something that would never have been allowed under one application.
'Additionally, several of the applications including this one have been retrospective, indicating a complete disregard for the rules of the lease and the feelings of local residents...
'My main concern is the 75% size increase that totally uses the additional promenade width that was paid for out of public funds (our tax)
