Move to sell off beach huts rejected

The local authority said there were more than 900 people on waiting lists for beach huts, including locations such as Cromer (pictured)

More than 400 beach huts will not be sold off after a council ruled the move out.

North Norfolk District Council officers had proposed beach huts and chalets in Cromer, Mundesley, Sheringham and Overstrand could be sold on long leaseholds to raise money.

Other measures put forward included offering them to private companies, which would take over their management through leases.

Lucy Shires, cabinet member for finance, estates and property services at the Liberal Democrat-run council, said there were "too many unknowns".

Mundesley was one of the locations under consideration for the beach hut proposals

At a cabinet meeting, councillors voted not to pursue those options, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, while the beach huts will not be sold, 33 of those currently offered as weekly lets will be converted into five-year leases.

The council said this was to meet the huge demand for long-term rentals - with more than 900 people on waiting lists.

Liz Withington, cabinet member for leisure, said: "I really welcome this and people in Sheringham, who have been on the list for 14 years, will do as well."

There were also calls for local people to be given the first chance of being offered the additional long-term lets.

It was rejected by Lib Dem council leader Tim Adams, though, who said: "Opening these additional units gives everyone [on the list] a bit more advantage of securing one of these leases."

People can also expect to pay more in the future to lease the beach huts.

Shires said officers would be looking at increasing the rates, which have been mooted to rise by about 14%.

The cost of renting a beach hut on a five-year lease starts at £913.74 per year across the council district.