Felixstowe beach hut saga reaches conclusion as green light given for move to Spa Pavilion

A three-year saga over the placement of beach huts in Felixstowe has reached its climactic conclusion.

Today, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet gave the nod to move 14 huts to the Spa Pavilion area.

The huts were among 44 moved away from their original sand platforms after storms in 2018.

Beach hut owners have been campaigning for the return of what are believed to be Britain’s oldest beach huts to their historic location. SuffolkNews spoke with campaigners last week ahead of decision day.

Planning permission to move the huts was granted in December.

Now, they will be repositioned on wooden platforms.

New locations were also found for 30 other huts, in places such as Manor End, The Dip, Pier South, and a new beach site at Clifflands.

Cllr Paul Ashton said the new administration was keen to work with beach hut owners and groups.

He described the beach huts as a vital and key part of Felixstowe’s heritage.

While rising sea levels posed a risk to beach hut sites, the authority would continue to work with hut owners to find the best solutions to allow people to enjoy them for years to come, he said.

Cllr Ashton added: “While finding a solution for the remaining 14 huts, we have considered the impact of the wooden frameworks on other beach users and the beach scene in winter when the huts will be moved to the promenade.

“Lots of empty frameworks would have detracted from the heritage value of the sea front, but we believe these 14 can be sited without a negative impact. I am pleased that Cabinet has agreed with our plans today.”