Proposed changes to an outdoor dining space at a West Bay restaurant have been refusal by Dorset Council.

It was decided that the alterations to the outside seating area at Sammi G's in West Bay would unnecessarily restrict public access to buildings and the beach beyond, although several councillors argued that the proposed layout could be seen as an improvement.

Bridport Cllr Kelvin Clayton said he was not convinced by the claim that the changes would result in additional access problems.

"This is a tourist area, a commercial area, people do want to sit out," he said.

Cllr Nick Ireland, who described the area as "a bit grim", said he also believed that the alterations could be seen as an improvement.

Others took the opposite view – with Cllr Sarah Williams arguing that the full two metre width of the path was necessary, especially for those in wheelchairs and parents with buggies.

"And we don't want people walking through the car park with people who seem to forget how to drive once they get to West Bay," she added.

Planning agent Simon Ludgate argued that, although there had been talk of 'harm' to the setting of the area, the path would be improved at the expense of the business, and there had been very little evidence to quantify any negative aspects.

The application would have allowed for two extra tables and the addition of a low retaining wall, with the removal of three steps outside Sammi G's.

The application said that the alterations would improve public access to the beach while maintaining access for vehicles to the front of Clarence House, as well as better defining the dining area which sits on an embankment close to West Bay Discovery Centre and immediately adjacent to the public car park.

The site is owned by Dorset Council.

Said a planning officer report: "The scheme seeks to replace a clearly visual public access with an access that is restrictive, not suitable for all users, less legible for the public and likely to introduce a conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic to the detriment of highway safety as it will encourage pedestrians, wheelchair and buggy users to go through the car park to be able to get to the Discovery Centre and east beach and as such it is considered that it would have a negative impact on the qualities of the public realm."

Nine letters had been received by the council about the application – largely supporting the council view that it would be out of keeping with the Conservation Area and would worsen accessibility.