Oldest beach huts in England may be listed after site row

ENGLAND’S oldest strip of beach huts could gain listed status after Historic Royal Palaces uncovered evidence that dates them to the Victorian era.

Beach huts have stood on the Spa Pavilion promenade in Felixstowe since at least the 1890s, but East Suffolk Council wants to remove them.

Campaigners – including Griff Rhys Jones, the comedian, and 4,000 signees of a petition – have requested a judicial review of the decision to relocate the 44 huts elsewhere in the town.

However, Dr Lee Prosser, at Historic Royal Palaces, has identified features – such as window catches and ventilation grilles – dating to the Victorian era.

“These are among the oldest survivors in the country,” he said. “The strategy might be to present the results to Historic England with a view to getting one or more huts listed.”

The huts were moved off the beach in 2018 due to erosion. Locals want some returned on platforms. “It’s not beyond the wit of man to make some sort of platform or jetty, said Mr Rhys Jones. The council said it is not safe and the promenade is not a “permanent option”.