Beach hut owners fear the costs are becoming too high

The owners in Bournemouth, Dorset - who cannot sleep overnight in the huts as they have no water or power - are angry at what they says is an 18.5% rise.

Parry Brooks, chairman of the Boscombe Cliffs Residents Association, says Bournemouth Borough Council is using the sea view huts as "cash cows".

A spokesman for the council said the new rents remained competitive.

Beach huts have never been an elitist thing Parry Brooks, Boscombe Cliffs Residents Association

The council says rents will increase by 10% plus inflation for 2005/2006, but Mr Brooks said that the council has also scrapped an early payment discount scheme which means residents will actually have to pay more.

The fee for 2004/05 was �540 but many owners took advantage of the �25 early payment discount last year, paying a total of �515.

A council spokeswoman said owners were now being asked to pay �610 for 2005/06.

"The amount from �515 to �610 is 18.5% which we think is a ridiculous amount," said 59-year-old Mr Brooks.

"But because they say they have a waiting list of 10 years for a beach hut plot they say if we don't want it there are plenty of other people who do.

'Financial difficulties'

"The attitude of the council is very cynical. Basically this is a cash cow to raise money."

He added that many of the current owners, largely pensioners on fixed incomes, or families looking for a cheap holiday, would soon become priced out of the market.

He said: "Beach huts have never been an elitist thing but if the prices go on up and the cost of having them goes on up, it will become an elitist thing."

Chris Saunders, Bournemouth seafront business development manager, said: "The council has been facing financial difficulties for some time and the decision was taken early in the year to increase the beach hut prices as part of the council's overall savings package.

"Despite this increase our beach hut prices remain competitive against similar offers around the country."