A plan to increase fees and charges on beach hut owners has been delayed by the council after sparking outrage.

Proposals laid out by Brighton and Hove City Council would have seen transfer fees paid by owners when they sell their huts jump by around 3,000 per cent from a fixed rate of £82 to ten per cent of the overall sale price - which could cost people thousands of pounds.

However, the planned levy has been shelved just hours before it was due to be debated by councillors.

While the council claim this is to allow for more consultation, an email seen by The Argus to members of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee said “external legal advice in relation to beach huts… means we will not be able to bring forward the proposals at this point”.

Councillor Robert Nemeth, founder of the Hove Beach Hut Association, described the plans to introduce the sales tax as “immoral and unfair” and welcomed the decision to postpone the proposals.

He said: “Threatening those who don’t comply with the cancellation of their agreement is an example of revenge eviction and highly questionable legally.

“I would urge hut owners who are deciding how to vote in May to oppose this sort of jealousy-based taxation.

"It will only come back after the election if they don’t.”

Beach huts are typically sold for between £29,000 and £36,500, meaning the proposals could have seen owners being forced to pay admin fees as high as £3,650.

Conservative spokesman on tourism, equalities, communities and culture Samer Bagaeen said he is pleased that the “stealth tax” on beach hut owners has been dropped pending legal advice.

He said the council’s plans had been sprung on beach hut owners who had not been consulted.

Cllr Bagaeen said: “Beach hut owners are furious at the council and rightly so. There was no consultation or discussion from the council, who were trying to sneak this measure through.

“The council is now targeting others to make up for its terrible financial management and the budget black hole it has created from disastrous overspends this year.

“The high cost of contractors brought in to cover the cost of the council’s disastrous policies in weeding, public toilets and housing repairs are now beginning to tell.

“I am pleased that our legal challenge has been successful and the proposal has been withdrawn from today’s meeting.”

A council spokesman said: “We have delayed consideration of possible new beach hut charges to allow for further public consultation.

“Our intention is to bring a report to a future meeting of our tourism, equalities, communities and culture following this consultation.”