DAYTRIPPERS and beach-lovers can own their own piece of Southend scenery when new beach huts are built.

Architects Pedder and Scampton have won the hotly-contested contract to design up to 16 huts for Shoebury East Beach.

The company was selected from a shortlist of three bidders after 40 firms from across the country applied for the project.

An exact number of huts won’t be decided until the planning application is put in but they will be grouped into two huts with a distinctive and low maintenance design on the existing concrete base at East Beach.

They are due to be completed by Spring 2013.

 

There will be gaps between the huts to make sure they do not block sea views and they will be robust enough inside for tenants to customise them.

It is expected each hut will have two folding glazed doors, a solid panel for changing behind and two coloured ‘over panels’ to be bolted shut when the huts are not being used.
The panels will form a windbreak when they open and the huts will also have their own timber decking in front.

Andrew Moring, Southend councillor responsible for corporate support services, said: “Beach huts are a very well-loved traditional feature of Southend, and are a wonderful seaside facility.

“There are currently 500 in the borough and we are delighted to be able to introduce these new ones which will blend in beautifully with our existing range.

“They are such hugely sought-after leisure features that we feel sure these new beach huts will prove extremely popular.

“As with all our beach huts, they will be leased to members of the public while the council retains the freehold. Estate agent Haart has been appointed to collect expressions of interest.”