Owners of luxury beach huts at Mudeford Spit and Hengistbury Head are questioning the legality of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s decision to scrap the 50% council tax discount the huts have hitherto enjoyed.
The council plans to reclassify the huts, which can sell for up to £575,000, as Class A second homes from 1 April 2026. This means the 50% discount they previously received will end, and owners will be charged the full rate.
Based on current Band A charges, this will increase the annual bill to approximately £1,503—a rise of over £60 per month. The change affects just over 340 huts, with 231 owned by people living outside the BCP area.
The council stated the move recognises that the huts are effectively holiday homes: furnished, not used as a primary residence, and occupied only part of the year. It replaces legacy arrangements inherited from former local authorities.
Facing significant financial pressures and lower-than-expected government funding, the council said the additional £211,000 raised will help support under-pressure local services, with further funds going to fire and police precepts.
Cllr Mike Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance said: ‘BCP Council, like all local authorities across England, faces an unprecedented, ongoing financial crisis and the latest government settlement does not address this.
‘As a result of this severe financial pressure, the council must use all levers at its disposal to raise funds to protect essential services important to our residents.
‘Beach huts on Mudeford Spit often sell for between £400,000 and £575,000 – more than the £313,000 average price, according to the Office for National Statistics, of a home in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, yet historically, owners have been given discounts on Council Tax.
‘And, while we welcome all those who want to enjoy our beautiful coastline, we must recognise that this brings extra demand for services such as beach cleaning and flood protection – the cost of which is mostly borne by our residents.
‘This change delivers fairness and consistency for all owners of second homes in the area.’
However, Speaking to the BBC, beach hut owner Gemma Paterson said: ‘Most people think all the beach hut owners are rolling in money, this is not the case, especially for myself and my family.
‘We don’t have running water and we haven’t seen any improvement in the facilities over 20 years.
‘How can they justify increasing the council tax when we can only stay in them for 8 months of the year?’
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