Beachgoers hit out at 'ghastly' beach huts set to replace old-fashioned chalets in £2.5m revamp

Furious beachgoers are going to war against plans to modernise old-fashioned beach huts, which they say look like shipping containers.

Angry locals have raged that the funky, slanted designs are ‘ghastly’ and ‘over bearing’.

The innovative architectural plan would see 72 multicoloured beach huts split across two levels at Lowestoft, Suffolk, as part of a £2.5million revamp of the parade by the council.

The new huts would replace the old-fashioned concrete chalets, which had to close due to safety concerns in 2016.

Beachgoers have hit out at modern design plans (pictured) for beach huts at Lowestoft, in Suffolk, claiming they are ‘ghastly’

The new huts (pictured) have been designed to replace the traditional huts which were closed in 2016 due to safety concerns

The plans for the modern redevelopment by architects Chaplin Farrant have now been made public and the innovative designs have upset some beachgoers.

Elaine High said: ‘The beach huts which are proposed for the South Beach Lowestoft are ghastly.

‘They look like storage huts and look out of place between the traditional beach huts near the Claremont Pier and also at Pakefield.

‘I thought Hemingway had designed a superior two tier beach hut with maybe a chance for a sleepover in them.

‘So disappointed. Out of place and not attractive at all.’

Beverley Hussein added: ‘The design really doesn’t fit in. It looks ugly and very industrial in an area of relaxation.’

Pictured: Residents have slammed the designs for the huts as inappropriate and say they look like shipping containers

While Andrew Lines said: ‘The design is inappropriate for the area. The construction method seems ‘temporary’ at best and they will soon degrade into an ugly mess.’

Paul King, from Martlesham Parish Council, said: ‘The proposal will have a negative visual effect, is of very poor design, will be overbearing and create lasting damage to the conservation area.

‘The design takes no account of the already existing and remaining terrace of 1930s deco style beach architecture and will look completely out of place.

‘These ugly ‘huts’ resemble shipping containers and will appear as disjointed blots on the landscape.’

The architects Chaplin Farrant said it wanted to create a modern design in a traditional context.

The proposals are currently being scrutinised by East Suffolk Council.

The design and access statement said: ‘The proposal is to provide 72 beach huts split across two levels, a raised decking promenade and on the existing parade level.

‘The upper level will provide 35 beach huts for market sale and 37 beach huts along the lower existing parade will be retained for lease by East Suffolk Council.

Architects submitted these designs to East Suffolk Council for consideration and they could be ready by August if approved

Pictured: the 72 beach huts are located along the South Parade in Lowestoft, East Suffolk, and are across two tiers

‘The beach huts are of a bold modern form, a single mono pitch roof and will be painted.

‘The proposal when viewed from the beach or along the South Parade is designed to be reminiscent of, and echo the neighbouring undulating pitched roofs typical of a shore front frontage.

‘It is an arrangement which hopes to reconcile the very modern design within its traditional context.’

If the plans get the green light the huts could be ready by August.

Not all locals disliked the innovative design.

Agnes Lillis wrote: ‘The design looks beautiful and contemporary. Will make a great addition to the Lowestoft seafront.

‘I live here and welcome this exciting new project.’

Hugh Davies added: ‘The overall form of the proposals is in keeping with the typical arrangement of seaside beach huts and a respectful gap is left between the sunrise cafe and the new huts.

‘It is pleasing to see that the elevation of the second row of beach huts is sufficient to give them a clear view of the sea.’