RESIDENTS have outlined their concerns over a proposal to 'radically' change the design of a building approved nine years ago.

Planning permission was granted in December 2012 for a leisure building at the Golden Cap Holiday Park in Seatown, which would include a restaurant and a swimming pool.

The approved design was two-storeys high and included a sloping roof, covered by sedum - a layer of living plants.

The owners of the park are now looking to proceed with the works, but have stressed in their planning application that 'given a significant period has passed since [the plans were approved] in 2012, a more viable scheme is sought to reflect the applicant's current position'.

The new proposal features a more 'traditional' design, broken down into three separate parts. Two parts would be one-storey and the only two-storey element housing the restaurant and accompanying terrace.

The plans have drawn a response from the area's residents, many of which are firmly against the new design.

As the planning consent from 2012 is still valid, any objections must focus on the impact compared with the original design.

Objections suggested the new design would be 'unsightly', 'not in keeping with the surrounding landscape', that it would be a 'radical change' as opposed to a minor amendment and that it 'has the appearance of an office block'. One comment even branded it as 'hideous'.

Lee Ramsden, who lives in Chideock, said: "The original two-storey design had attempted to fit in with the surrounding landscape, with sloping roofs covered in living sedum. The new proposed design looks like an urban office block.

"We have discovered that objections have to be with Dorset Council's Planning Committee by this coming Monday."

Mrs Ramsden has produced a flyer which is being distributed around Chideock and Seatown, detailing her concerns and including a QR code which leads directly to the application on the planning website.

She added: "It would be absolutely tragic for Seatown. Whilst many tourists come here every summer, this year holiday makers and campers have flooded to Seatown, and not because there is a restaurant and swimming pool."

A spokesman for Golden Cap Holiday Park said: "Given the significant reduction in the size, the proposed design should, in theory, have less of an impact than its significantly larger predecessor.

"Nevertheless, given the sensitive location of the leisure building, the proposed building has been carefully designed to consider the setting and the comments made by statutory consultees under the original submission."

The deadline for written comments or uploading comments directly on to the website is Monday, October 11.

The Chideock Parish Council will be meeting 6.30pm on Tuesday, October 12 at Chideock Village Hall to discuss the application.