Published on Wednesday 07 December 2022
Residents could see opportunities to access the area’s beach hut offer improve as BCP Council sets out plans to simplify the service.
Later this month (14 December 2022) BCP Council’s Cabinet will consider a report setting out the future management of the area’s beach huts including plans to implement a simple and fair pricing structure.
The proposals will mean anyone living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be able to apply for a beach hut in any of the three towns (at the moment, only residents of the town can apply to be on the waiting list for beach huts within the town itself).
Councillor Mark Anderson, Cabinet Member for Environment, said; "I am pleased to bring forward proposals which will give greater choice for residents wishing to access a beach hut in the future, whilst simplifying the service.
"As many will recognise, our beach huts have had under investment for a number of years, and these plans will unleash around £4.4million of much needed investment in our beach huts and their services.
"We talked early on with key stakeholders about how we can provide a better service and we have heard a number of views raised during the evolution of these plans. I am pleased that we can show we have listened to those and addressed many of these head on.
"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."
As part of the proposals the council plans to maintain restrictions on joining waiting lists for those who live outside of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Representatives of the beach hut associations have also been invited to share a list of maintenance items which will be considered as part of the new management plans.
The proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 14 December 2022 and will be subject to the council’s decision-making process. To read the full report visit here.