A MOVE to build more beach huts along Poole's coast to help cut long waiting lists have been given the go-ahead by Poole councillors.

More than 50 new huts could now be in the pipeline, with council officers recommending possible sites at Flaghead Chine and Branksome, as well as Canford Cliffs.

Hundreds of Poole residents are on the town's beach hut waiting list, but they are currently facing waits of up to 10 years to get to the top of the list.

At the moment, Poole council leases 1,145 beach huts along Poole Bay, mostly on annual licences, although around 30 are let out on a weekly hire basis.

But members of the council's Environment Overview Group have now voted to support a bid to provide 54 extra huts, at a cost of around £9,000 each.

The sites that have been identified include two concrete plinths at Flaghead Chine and Branksome next to the promenade.

These had previously been used for beach huts but the huts were removed a number of years ago and never replaced.

In a report to Environment Overview Group members, head of leisure services at Poole Clive Smith said new two-storey beach huts could be built on the vacant bases, with glass doors and side panels replaced by solid timber and small high level windows to cut damage by vandals.

There is also another vacant plinth at Canford Cliffs, although this is fronted by another block of huts.

In this case, Mr Smith said the existing eight huts could be demolished and 20 similar or larger huts built on the concrete slab behind.

The new huts could be rented out on an annual basis, or let out weekly to increase access for residents.

Council officers are now putting together a consultation document to allow local residents and beach hut users in the area to comment on the plans.