Sutton on Sea: £6m development plan for Colonnade site submitted

The plans include a cafe, gallery, exhibition spaces and business kiosks

A multi-million pound plan to redevelop Sutton on Sea's Colonnade site has been submitted.

East Lindsey District Council has put forward plans to replace the existing 1950s structure with a restaurant, cafe, gallery and new beach huts.

A redevelopment scheme was first put forward in 2018, but attracted criticism from beach hut owners.

The plans will now go through the planning process, with a decision expected by May 2021.

Steve Kirk, the council's portfolio holder for coastal economy, said: "The Colonnade project is something that we've been working on for some time and the submission of these plans is a major milestone.

"As well as providing a replacement Colonnade, it'll bring some fantastic new facilities to the town, serving as an asset for local residents and a draw for visitors from further afield."

• More stories from across Lincolnshire

• Beach hut owner 'devastated' at demolition

The scheme also includes leisure and exhibition facilities

East Lindsay District Council is hoping to secure £4.2m of government funding for the scheme

The scheme is expected to cost £6.1m and the authority has submitted a bid for £4.2m of funding from the government's Towns Fund.

A decision on the funding request is expected to be made next month.

The redevelopment also includes exhibition spaces and kiosks and, on the landward side, areas for pop-up trading and events.

The council say plans to redevelop the surrounding Pleasure Gardens are being finalised in consultation with residents.

The original beach huts sat on top of a concrete colonnade which was built in the 1950s