Beach hut owners on north Norfolk’s coast were left angry yesterday after councillors agreed a 10pc hike in rent for their seaside hideaways.
The 132 chalets and 230 hut sites in Cromer, Sheringham, Overstrand and Mundesley, managed by the district council, are costing the authority thousands of pounds to maintain each year.
At a cabinet meeting, councillors approve an increase in rent, along with a number of other changes, to help cover the deficit and fund a programme of improvements.
It means, beach-hut owners in Sheringham, Cromer and Overstrand face a £15 increase in the annual charge, taking it from £160 to £175, Mundesley sites will cost £165 instead of £155, while yearly rents for chalet owners will rise by between £55 and £62 pounds.
Mundesley’s beach hut owners will also have to pay their National Non-Domestic Rate separately, which was previously incorporated into their rents.
At this week’s meetings, where public speaking was allowed for the first time, villagers shouted their annoyance as they left the room.
They said hut owners, who fund their own repairs and maintenance, were being made to pay for a deficit created solely by chalets – although council figures show the hut sites cost the council £3,000 in 2008/09 – and that Mundesley people were being penalised twice.
Norfolk beach hut rents up 10pc
