PLANS to replace almost 120 storm-damaged beach huts on the Hampshire coast have been given the goahead – despite objections to the scheme.

Civic chiefs have approved a £1.25m proposal to bulldoze the privately-owned huts at Milford on Sea and build similar facilities on the site.

New Forest District Council is now facing a race against time to provide the new huts before next summer.

A planning application is likely to be submitted in the autumn with a view to starting work in March.

The 118 huts, which occupy council-owned land on the promenade, were battered by 80mph winds that struck on the night of February 14.

More than 30 were demolished shortly afterwards due to public safety.

Some Milford residents have called for all remaining concrete huts to be bulldozed, saying it would remove an eyesore and open up views of the Solent.

But plans to replace them were approved by members of the council’s ruling Cabinet yesterday.