MULTI-MILLION pound plans to demolish and rebuild Sandbanks Pavilion due to “significant” concerns about its condition are being considered by BCP Council.

It has launched a tender process for a company to put together a design for a two-storey structure with a budget of up to £3.5 million.

In a document, the council said it wanted a “cost-effective” solution but with an aim that the new facility increase income by providing more beach huts.

The pavilion was built in 1928 and has two kiosks along with 40 beach huts.

But concerns have now been raised about the condition of structure with issues discovered during recent inspections.

“The upper section of the building is getting close to the end of its life without major intervention,” the tender document says. “The rafters on the roof have deflected excessively and have potential for collapse with severe snow.”

The council is seeking companies to come up with options for a two-storey replacement structure with a maximum budget of £3.5 million.

A number of “key objectives” are outlined by the council, including “creating a landmark building” while also increasing the number of beach huts and subsequent income from the facility.

It adds that designs should “seek to provide a new element of community or public use”.

In 2018, property developer Eddie Mitchell put together £30 million plans for a redevelopment of the pavilion site which included additional retail units, extra parking spaces, more than 100 beach huts and 32 flats.

He said the development would have been the “jewel in the borough’s crown” with the existing buildings having “gone way past their sell-by date”.

But his proposals were never progressed by the council, which is the landowner of the site.

A deadline of August 26 has been set by the council for any expressions of interest in taking on the project, with an aim that final plans for the pavilion will be put together next year.