LYME Regis Town Council said lessons have been learnt over the controversial scaffolding on the seafront.

Traders and residents were concerned the scaffolding and site office, which extends over the Marine Parade and Cart Road, would impact on the tourist season.

Dorset County Council, which owns the Cart Road, gave permission for the development, although Lyme Regis Town Council is responsible for the management of the Marine Parade.

The hoarding and scaffolding is this week set to get a makeover to make it less unsightly.

The town council’s town management committee received the latest complaints list last week but were concerned the scaffolding was not mentioned.

Coun Michaela Ellis said: “It’s as though we have buried our head in the sand about it and ignored it. We have a duty of care to look after that Marine Parade.”

She added: “They (the public) can’t see we are doing anything if it’s being done behind closed doors.”

Coun Chris Clipson assured members nothing has been done in secret.

Administrative assistant Elaine Pawsey said although people have called with concerns, they would not leave their names so they could not be recorded as complaints.

Town clerk John Wright said it was now about learning lessons and redefining the town council’s position, adding: “We are where we are with the issue.

“Whether it makes things different in terms of what is happening with the scaffolding, I think the answer would be no.”

The town clerk said he has told the county council the town council would prefer scaffolding did not go up in the summer.

The meeting also heard that although there is believed to be an understanding between the two councils about when work like this can take place, neither council has any copies of an agreement.

Dorset County Council highways manager Michael Westwood said: “We haven’t been approached yet but we would be willing to discuss the possibilities.”

The scaffolding is needed for the repair and refurbishment of a listed property, which dates back to 1840.

A site spokesman said: “The Lyme-based company Creative Solutions are doing the hoarding for us with a beach hut design, which will go up this week, and we are putting some ammonite designs up on the main scaffolding.

“We have got all the right permissions but this is in response to the community to try and mitigate the impact of the site.”