The parks department has sought planning permission to erect a new lifeguard tower to safeguard the waters of Horseshoe Bay.

The iconic South Shore beach, where the surf remained powerful in the wake of Hurricane Gabrielle passing Bermuda as a Category 4 storm, had a substantial complement of lifeguards on duty yesterday.

Plenty of guests were in evidence despite the rough conditions.

The department made the beach a priority last month after a boost in lifeguard numbers assisted by the hiring of six consultants.

The planning application, submitted last month, proposed building a new concrete tower to replace the existing structure that stands near the centre of the popular Southampton beach.

The documents propose using the lower level of the tower for beach storage, with removable aluminium stairs leading to a balconied upper level.

A conservation management plan included with the application said that, as part of the project, invasive and non-native plant species in the area would be removed.

However efforts would be made to protect a stretch of beach lobelia, a plant that is described as “rare and unique to Bermuda”.

The project would also involve protecting “dune-building” plants and grasses.