Seaside chalets closed due to safety concerns replaced by temporary beach huts

Due to safety concerns, Waveney District Council and the Sentinel Leisure Trust have taken the decision to close a number of chalets on Jubilee Parade in Lowestoft. Pictures: MICK HOWES (Image: Archant)

The 1930s chalets, which provide a colourful backdrop to the lower promenade below Kensington Gardens, in Kirkley, near Lowestoft, were cordoned off after engineers raised concerns about their structural safety.

The move meant about 50 beach huts were unavailable for the key summer tourist season, with a decision about their long-term future still to be made.

The 50 temporary beach huts will sit in front of the cordoned off area to ensure there is provision for next summer, while Waveney District Council and Sentinel Leisure Trust look into how to resolve the problems.

'The idea of this is that it will give the council three years of breathing space,' said Richard Amor, principal planning officer at the authority.

The bid was unanimously approved by the council's planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday.

It will last for three years, after which the huts will be removed and Mr Amor said the long-term future of the area would become clearer.

Waveney councillor Michael Ladd, a member of the planning committee, said: 'Clearly it is an integral part of the coastal defence and it has got to be dealt with.

'This will provide something on a temporary basis to allow people to enjoy the beach huts over the next few years.'

At the time, Stephen Ardley, the council's cabinet member for operational partnerships, said the closure of the chalets was 'extremely disappointing' but that there was no alternative, adding: 'The wellbeing of leaseholders is our absolute priority and we will not take any chances where safety is concerned.'

Those who had taken out a lease for the year 2016/17 were fully repaid.