BEACH hut owners are “delighted” that they appear to have seen off controversial changes planned by Poole council.

They are expected to turn out in force to a special meeting of the borough’s cabinet on Tuesday, which is being recommended to keep its current policy and not introduce controversial fixed term lets, following public consultation.

Poole Beach Huts Association, formed to fight the council’s proposals to limit long term lets to five or 10 years from 2016, is expecting up to 100 members to attend Borough of Poole’s cabinet meeting.

“PBHA are delighted with the outcome,” said chairman Bob Lister.

“We want to show the strength of feeling to the cabinet. We want to make sure they accept this recommendation.”

He said: “It has been a difficult, time-consuming campaign by the PBHA committee and its members, who have worked tirelessly to achieve this result.

“Many current and future beach hut tenants owe a debt of gratitude to the Poole Beach Hut Association committee and its many stalwarts.”

Members were set for a legal battle over the proposals and the committee will be meeting to discuss what they do now.

However there are still other issues, such as the rising costs of hut rental.

Cabinet members will also be recommended to re-open the current 339-strong waiting list from January 2014, keep an annual renewal of licences, a simplified pricing structure and an annual review of the numbers of short-term lets available.

Cllr Judy Butt, cabinet portfolio holder with responsibility for sport and recreation said: “Following my call for a full public consultation of the environment overview and scrutiny report to cabinet regarding a beach hut policy review in December 2011, I am delighted the public consultation highlighted so many areas for our consideration.

“I am grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation process and the results have allowed me to bring forward these fair and balanced recommendations to cabinet.”

Poole has 1,061 huts along its main beaches at Sandbanks, Shore Road, Flaghead, Can-ford Cliffs, Branksome Chine and Branksome Dene, with 962 let to Poole residents and 94 available for short-term lets with five let to groups.