Beach hut waiting lists reopen after seven years

The waiting lists for beach huts were closed because of high demand

Waiting lists for beach huts in Bournemouth are set to open for the first time in seven years.

The lists were closed because of high demand in 2017.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council said numbers on the waiting lists had "significantly decreased".

It said lists for eight locations in Bournemouth would be opened to new applicants and each would be capped at 500 names.

The purpose-built beach huts at 15 locations along the Bournemouth and Poole seafront have been "historically over subscribed", the council said.

There are 2,732 huts available for hire across Bournemouth and Poole.

Waiting times for a hut at Branksome Chine and Canford Cliffs currently stand at eight years.

Terms and conditions for the waiting lists across Bournemouth and Poole have been updated to create a more consistent system.

Beach hut applicants, who must live in the council area, can choose to join any of the 15 beach area lists between Bournemouth and Poole. The cost to join each list is £50.

The first waiting list - Bournemouth East and Bournemouth West - opens on 8 July.

There are no waiting lists in Christchurch, where huts are sold on the open market.

Poole lists are already open, but will be closed for maintenance between 20 - 26 June.