PLANS to replace almost 120 storm-damaged beach huts on the Hampshire coast could cost taxpayers £2.3 million – almost double the original estimate.

Civic chiefs were meeting today to debate a huge hike in the price of providing new huts at Milford on Sea to replace those destroyed in a ferocious storm in 2014.

Proposed improvements to the initial scheme will push up the cost from £1.2 million to £2.3 million.

A report to the district council’s ruling Cabinet says: “The public consultation and engagement exercise resulted in a number of key considerations being incorporated into the design that had not been envisaged at the initial project development stage.”

The changes include “greatly improved” access to the upper and lower promenade through the use of ramps and steps.

Council bosses are also planning to widen the lower promenade to create more room for beach hut users and pedestrians walking along the seafront.

The report says these and other measures will enhance the environment as well as creating improved public access to the area.

But the new huts will cost an extra £931,271 if the extra work is given the go ahead next month.

“A sum of £70,000 from existing coastal step replacement budgets has been identified to offset the cost of the additional access improvement included in the scheme,” says the report.

“The total net additional budget therefore required for these enhancements is £861,271.”

Colin Read, the council’s executive director of operations, added: “Our decision to look at the wider benefits that could be gained from this project for residents and visitors to Milford has meant that costs have risen.”

Cabinet members were today being asked to support the increase but a final decision will be taken by the full council on July 11.

The new beach huts will replace previous structures wrecked by 80mph winds that hit Hampshire on February 14 2014 in what was dubbed the Valentine’s Day Storm.

Couples enjoying a romantic meal at The Marine cafe and restaurant in Milford had to be evacuated as rocks crashed through the windows and the ground floor began flooding.

The area was left looking like a war zone, with wrecked cars and other debris littering the beach.