A COMPLETELY new look for beach chalets was a key measure debated when councillors considered the future of Greenhill Gardens in Weymouth.

The possible demolition and replacement of more than 30 ailing two-tier chalets below the tennis courts was put under the spotlight by the Weymouth and Portland policy and development committee.

There could also be a dozen new chalets built in the Cactus Gardens near existing chalets, a possible new crazy golf site, new toilets, a replacement RNLI look-out, tennis courts and a 50-seat restaurant in a new chalet building with Pebbles Café closing and possibly moving to the town end of the development.

Chairman Alison Scott said the committee was trying to ensure the area stayed as municipal gardens, but was better suited to the resort's continuing development as a holiday destination.

She told the meeting: "We are talking about making sure the chalets are preserved, perhaps not how everyone here might want them preserved, but long-term. We are only talking about the replacement of the two-tier chalets. The others will remain."

Environment director Richard Burgess said the harsh reality' was that major investment was needed to replace the two-tier chalets while Coun Les Ames said members had to be realistic because we don't have the money ourselves'.

He added that a developer was needed and they shouldn't be tied down because it was a good opportunity to move forward and create gardens to be proud of'.

Earlier, members heard former councillor Andy Hutchings, who has a sluice gardens chalet, say he wasn't against change but that councillors should save the chalets for local people.

Others felt the council was just keen to be rid of financial and community responsibility, adding that the chalets were a lifeline' for many families, especially those with special needs children.

There was also comment that the area would make a great medal presentation area for the Olympic sailing events in 2012.

Coun Ian James asked for and was given an assurance that licence extensions on retained chalets, which are due to expire in March 2009, would be offered first to existing tenants.

Members then backed a recommendation to formulate a design brief or a planning application to develop the two-tier chalets, also approving licence renewals on a one-year or summer-only basis for ground floor chalets and the cafe until the site is ready for development.

Members then backed a recommendation by Coun Peter Farrell that the council considered all the chalets not being redeveloped to be a local community asset and expected them to stay that way.

Their recommendations must be confirmed by colleagues at a meeting of Weymouth and Portland's management committee on March 4.