NEW beach huts are to be built on Clacton seafront.

The go-ahead for the eight huts, earmarked for a location next to Kiosk 1 on the Lower Kings Promenade, was granted by Tendring District Council’s Planning Committee.

The application was submitted by the council in the hope the huts will help enhance the area, which has become rundown.

According to council leader Peter Halliday, beach huts are seen as an important part of the Tendring coastline because they provide extra leisure opportunities in the district.

He said: “We have more than 3,000 beach huts around our coastline and they prove very popular with both residents and people from outside the area.

“They generate income for the council and also offer benefits to families. We have chosen this location, so it can be improved and be fit for purpose.

“We will also be looking at other gaps along the coast where we may be able to place beach huts. We don’t want places to look empty. If places are busy they have a feel-good factor, which has to be good for visitors and traders.

“A beach hut strategy has been developed and this will go before the scrutiny committee next month.”

Mr Halliday said it hasn’t yet been decided whether the new huts will be sold or rented. He said one option may be to keep one hut back to be let on a day-rental basis.

Beach hut sales can generate a sizeable return. On sales website beach-hut.com, beach huts in Clacton, where there are already 152 huts, are up for sale for around £5,000. Beach huts in nearby Frinton were being advertised for as much as £27,000.

Planning permission for the eight new huts is subject to a consultation period, which runs until March 5. If no significant objections are raised, Mr Halliday said he hoped the huts would be constructed and ready to use for the summer season.

He added: “Although we do not have a waiting list as such, they are snapped up pretty quickly and are a valuable part of our offer on our seafronts. Any increase in the number we have in this popular location is to be welcomed.

“Beach huts are a real draw. A lot of people look back with fondness to their times in them. Some have been in families for generations. People come up from London and use them as their weekend hideaway and they are a major attraction for visitors and residents.”