Beach hut land sell-off plans put on hold

Beach hut owners are being given new 12-month leases while the council considers a land sale plan

Plans to sell the land on which beach huts stand are being postponed.

The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk said in a letter to owners it wanted to take time to "fully understand the implications" of any sale of the land at Heacham, near Hunstanton.

It had earlier said a decision on the site's future would be taken at a council meeting on 23 September.

Beach hut owners said the delay "only serves to prolong the anxiety felt by residents".

James Goodman-Stephens said he and his fellow beach hut owners wanted to be included in discussions on the site's future

No date has been set for a decision but owners are being given new 12-month leases.

The council had initially planned to sell the land the beach huts sit on at auction.

Locals formed Heacham Beach Hut Association (HBA) to try to fight the plan.

In a letter to residents, Independent Partnership deputy council leader Simon Ring said: "As a local authority we have a duty to take financially responsible decisions that are in the best interests of West Norfolk.

"That said, I also want to ensure we fully understand the implications for leaseholders and the wider community".

Beach hut owner and King's Lynn resident James Goodman-Stephens said owners would continue to oppose any planned sale.

"This decision shows a failure to genuinely listen to feedback about both the incorrect financial evaluation and the immense cultural and community value of this site to local residents," he said.

He said longer leases of 10 years should be offered to assure owners they had a long-term future on the site.

Mr Goodman-Stephens also urged the council to include HBA in future meetings about the beach huts at Heacham.