Fears more beach huts in Worthing could ruin sea views

There were plans to build five more beach huts at four sites along the promenade from Worthing Sailing Club in Goring to the west and Sea View Road in the east.

But councillors are concerned that adding the five extra beach huts could “spoil the views for those using the promenade”.

Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee voted unanimously for the decision on these applications to be delayed.

Beach huts in West Worthing. Picture by Paul Gillett

The move aims to enable the new administration to develop a better policy on beach huts and future applications.

Councillor Emma Taylor, Worthing’s cabinet member for citizen services, said: “Our existing beach huts along our seafront are an iconic and popular part of Worthing and will continue to be so.

“However, the plans for more beach huts would result in a reduction of our wonderful sea views, as well as hindering general access for the public.

"By building more beach huts we are providing something that benefits a few users, but is detrimental to the enjoyment of our seafront by a great many more people. 

Beach huts in Seaford

“Our seafront is a source of great pride to Worthing and should be enjoyed by everyone. As a new administration, we are determined to improve the quality of the natural environment both in the town centre and along the seafront.

“We want to adopt a new policy towards building on our magnificent blue and green spaces and we feel that adding even more beach huts would jeopardise people’s enjoyment of our seafront and sea views.”

Last year, a beach hut was removed from Goring seafront and a woman’s licence terminated after complaints of “anti-social behaviour”.

Michele Spicer was removed from her beach hut in Goring last year

Fencing was put around the site to stop her “building a new one” on her former plot.

It is unclear whether the council plans to re-let the site for a new tenant.

Under the new administration, parklets have been installed in Montague Place as part of the council’s next step to pedestrianise the area and provide a link from the town centre to the seafront.