Hundreds of colourful beach huts at some of Norfolk's most visited beaches could be sold off as a cash-strapped council seeks to raise funds.

North Norfolk District Council is considering a range of options for how it manages its huts, including selling them off to private owners as long-term leaseholds.

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

Beach huts in MundesleyBeach huts in Mundesley (Image: Newsquest)

The proposals are the latest being considered by the council to raise revenue. 

Other ideas include fully or partially closing 40pc of its public toilets.

The council also plans to hike car park fees by as much as 50pc for season ticket holders.

The beach hut proposals follow concerns earlier in the year that more frequent bad weather was putting pressure on the profitability of the huts due to higher repair costs and declining income.

However, there is already unease among councillors about the proposals.

 

BEACH HUT DILEMMA

NNDC manages more than 400 beach huts, located at Cromer, Sheringham, Mundesley and Overstrand beaches.

They are offered either through long-term leases or as weekly rentals.

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North Norfolk District Council is considering the future of its beach huts, like this row of colourful huts along Sheringham's promenadeNorth Norfolk District Council is considering the future of its beach huts, like this row of colourful huts along Sheringham's promenade (Image: Denise Bradley)

There is huge demand for long-term leases, with more than 900 people currently on waiting lists.

However, there has been a decline in people renting short-term, with less than half the units available being occupied during the peak summer months between June and September.

It is thought wet and cold weather conditions could be to blame, as well as the difficult economic climate. 

It is estimated beach huts will raise £288,950 from long-term leases and £45,000 from weekly lets.

Beach huts in Wells, which are known to fetch between £70,000 - £90,000 when they come up for saleBeach huts in Wells, which are known to fetch between £70,000 - £90,000 when they come up for sale (Image: Newsquest)

In a report to members of the overview and scrutiny committee, officers have put forward a range of different options for its beach huts.

The preferred option is to lease weekly and long-term lease units to a commercial operator, which would take over the management of the huts. These will then be sub-let to existing tenants.

One company could take over the running of all the huts, or it could be split between firms based on location.

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A kite being flown on Cromer beachA kite being flown on Cromer beach (Image: Newsquest)

Another option is to sell the beach huts and chalets on a long leasehold with annual ground rent to existing tenants.

It has also been proposed to convert all the weekly lets to long-term leases, as there appears to be more demand for these.

 

RISK TO REPUTATION

The proposals have already generated unease among councillors when the suggestions were presented at a recent overview and scrutiny committee meeting. 

North Norfolk News: Lucy Shires, North Walsham councillorLucy Shires, North Walsham councillor (Image: Adam Barker)

Philip Bailey, a Sheringham councillor, called for more information about how much income could be generated before this option is pursued.

"We need to know the price point of what we are charging," he said.

He added that it made more business sense to convert all the beach huts and chalets into long-term rentals, as this is where the biggest demand is.

Councillors also agreed that a way of raising revenue quickly would be to increase the amount they charge for rent, which may also help cut numbers from the waiting list.

However, Lucy Shires, cabinet member for finance, estates and property services, warned that taking away the weekly lets could risk "reputational damage" as these provide a cheaper option for people. 

"We really have to be conscious of how local residents will feel about that," she said.

Although Jill Boyle, a councillor for Cromer, noted that if private companies take over the lease of the huts, prices would "be hiked anyway."

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Nigel Dixon, chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee at North Norfolk District CouncilNigel Dixon, chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee at North Norfolk District Council (Image: Newsquest)

Nigel Dixon, chairman of the committee added: "We wouldn't have any means to prevent that so in terms of reputational damage, there would be an exposure there that we had done something which caused this."

Committee members have recommended that the council continues to manage its beach huts, with the aim of raising the price it charges for long-term leases, while also exploring converting more of its weekly rentals to long-term leases.

A decision over the future of the beach huts will be made at a later date.

Beach huts in Wells can fetch substantial sums when they come up for saleBeach huts in Wells can fetch substantial sums when they come up for sale (Image: Newsquest)

PRIME PROPERTY

While there appears reluctance to sell off the chalets, they can fetch hefty sums when they go on the market.

In Wells-next-the-Sea, beach huts can fetch in the region of £70,000.

Currently, there is one on the market for £89,000 at the town's beach, marketed via Beach Huts -  an online market place for the coastal properties.