A NEW beach hut on Abersoch beach has been approved by councillors despite concerns and objections over its size.

The application to replace the existing number 27 beach hut with a new, larger hut on Borth Fawr beach has received objections from residents and Llanengan Community Council over its height and visual impact.

The existing hut is around 3m high and 4m wide with a wooden deck extending out around 2.2m.

The proposed hut would be 0.3m higher, 0.2m higher and 5m deep - leading to concerns about the proposal’s size, height and finish.

Officers, who recommended the plan for approval, said however, that “it is not considered that increasing by 0.3 metres in height will have a significantly different visual impact.”

“As the design of the proposal is suitable for a beach hut and its setting, appearance, scale, height and treatment of the proposal’s elevations are comparatively similar to the rest of the huts in the row, it is considered that the proposal is acceptable,” the planning officers’ report said.

The applicants said that the hut had been “destroyed” during the storms of 2013/14 and that a new hut was required.

“As the huts have become more sought-after, and some have changed hands, there has been a continual replacement and/or upgrading of the older huts,” the application says.

“Additionally, as a result of the damage caused in the last winter many owners have found it necessary to repair and upgrade or replace their huts.”

The application was approved by members in accordance with the officers’ recommendations.