A ROW has erupted over the proposed new position of a groyne as part of plans to regenerate Swanage beach.

Beach hut owners in the privately-owned Swanage Bay section of the beach say they will be effectively blocked off from their section of the beach.

Beach hut owner Carol Hearn, a grandmother of six, said: "At a public meeting we were told the groyne would be moved a maximum of six feet but they are now saying it could be moved a massive distance.

"This will make life a nightmare for people with prams and pushchairs. We'll have to climb down steps then clamber over this groyne. We won't be able to get onto our own bit of beach."

Beach hut owner Jill Collins said: "At a public meeting the majority voted that they were happy with the groyne going in up to six feet away from the original groyne.

"Now we get a new set of plans and the position of the groyne has been changed by 40ft - apparently on the say so of one landowner who objected.

"The landowner is anonymous so we can't weigh up how inconvenient it is for them with how inconvenient it is for us."

Purbeck District Council's district engineer Mike Goater said the final position of the groyne had not been agreed as it was still subject to public consultation.

He said : "We are currently trying to resolve this issue with these people. We are trying to negotiate to find positions that are satisfactory to people.

"We are looking to hopefully start the scheme in October if everyone agrees. We came to a point where some issues were raised and we moved the groyne to coincide with boundaries. Some people disagree and we are going to address those problems - it is part of the consultation process."

First published: May 24