CIVIC chiefs are set to vote on New Year proposals to build 79 additional beach huts in Poole, as part of a project costing £1.2 million.

Borough of Poole environment overview and scrutiny committee members, who have already backed the new-build plans, also nodded through a motion to offer some of these new huts to residents on quarter-of-a-century leases.

Currently, there are hundreds of people on Poole’s beach hut waiting lists but only between 40 and 60 huts from the borough’s 1,065 become available each year.

Past proposals to limit the time leases can run have been met with anger by some owners – while others believe the longer term leases are fundamentally unfair, as they further limit numbers able to rent.

If this latest plan, which includes a proposal to offer some of the new beach huts on 25-year leases, is passed by Borough of Poole’s cabinet in January, the scheme will still need full council approval the following month before moving ahead.

Cllr Tony Trent, chair of the environment overview and scrutiny committee, said: “Poole’s beaches are one of its most prized assets and understandably waiting lists for beach huts are long.

“We must try to ensure as many huts are available to our residents as possible through a range of options. These include annual let, short-term let, and possibly in the future, the use of a long-term leases – which would help finance the provision of new huts.”

Meanwhile, Poole Beach Hut Association chairman Bob Lister, told the Daily Echo: “We were concerned that the paid up-front 25-year leases could apply to not just Poole residents but to anyone. However, the scrutiny committee did agree to make the 25-year leases open to Poole residents first then other people.

“Personally I don’t support this scheme, because while there’s 250 people on the hut waiting list, I think people would be somewhat annoyed to find a certain number of beach huts will only be available on 25 year leases.”

Proposals will be developed and presented to Borough of Poole cabinet on January 14. If recommended for approval they will go to full council on February 25.