Christchurch beach hut owners face soaring ground rent fees as BCP Council sets out plans for seafront services

BEACH hut owners have hit out at proposed price hikes which will see rental fees for some in Christchurch nearly double over the next five years.

BCP Council is proposing various changes to its management of more than 3,700 huts across the region, the most controversial being a big jump in ground rent charges. In 2022/23 alone, hut fees in some areas, including Friars Cliff, could soar by 26%. Subsequent years up to 2028 will see increases of between 5% and 21%.

In a report to the cabinet which is set to meet tomorrow (Wednesday), officers said the move to take advantage of a "strong demand" for beach huts in the local area would enable £4.4m of investment in the huts and seafront facilities, but owners slammed the rent rise as "unfair and inequitable".

A joint statement by the chairs of Friars Cliff, Mudeford, Bournemouth and Poole beach hut associations claimed the "captive market" of owners was being used as a cash cow to plug a budget blackhole and fund "non-essential" services.

"The £4.4m is not to improve investment in beach huts, but to mainly subsidise services on the whole of the seafront," they said. "To call the new pricing structure ‘fair’ is a travesty."

Rental fees for huts vary considerably across the three towns, and the council says the move would bring about more "consistency". It also said that analysis of beach hut tenants in the BCP area revealed the majority are affluent.

Hut associations have been invited to share a "list of maintenance items" which will be considered as part of the new management plans.

The changes would also see lease transfer fees go up substantially, affecting those who wish to pass their huts on to family or friends.

Current restrictions on sub-letting would also be scrapped and long leases of up to 50 years would be offered across the region.

"There is scope to build on the strong demand for beach huts in the local area, which has increased in recent years due to Covid and the homestay market," the report stated. "Currently 99% of huts and sites in Bournemouth and Poole are let, and there are no vacant beach hut sites in Christchurch.

"A consistent approach to eligibility should be adopted to help sustain and grow commercial potential."

Waiting lists, which currently apply only in Bournemouth and Poole and restrict applicants to access to huts only in their own towns, would be opened to all BCP residents.

The possibility of allowing those with BH postcodes, including in New Milton, to join lists may also be considered down the line.

Cllr Mark Anderson, cabinet member for environment, said the proposals would give "greater choice" for residents wanting huts.

“As many will recognise, our beach huts have had under investment for a number of years, and these plans will unleash around £4.4-million of much-needed investment in our huts and their services.

“We know there is a substantial difference between prices across the region, and want to address that so that we have a simple and fair pricing system. We’ve recognised that we need to introduce this system over time to reduce that immediate impact and give people the opportunity to plan ahead.”

BCP Council also wants to axe its early payment discount offer – which gives licensees 15% off the annual fee, applies only in Christchurch and in 2021 had cost the authority more than £30,000.

A further £5.6m from the additional beach huts income will go towards closing the council's growing budget gap.