Up to £100,000 is to be spent to build 12 new beach huts along the Clacton to Holland-on-Sea seafront – six of which will be on the beach.

The move is the first part of Tendring Council’s plans to regenerate the seafront area following the completion of a major £36million Coastal Protection scheme along 5kms of the coastline.

The aim is to lease the huts so as to create a future extra income stream and, with the annual site licence fee still being payable, it will also achieve a capital return.

Alternatively the huts could be sold - and it will all depend on market conditions.

Tendring Council’s cabinet approved the initiative with the cash to come from the council’s austerity reserve.

Nick Turner, cabinet member for coastal protection and seafronts, said that he was very pleased to see the Council moving ahead at pace with this.

“This is about new income streams and capital – and maximising the huge investment in these beaches,” he said.

“We are looking at six huts on the seafront and six on the beach itself below First Avenue at Clacton.”

Mr Turner said that the huts will all be in the council’s latest design with verandas and the money made from them will be put back in the create more facilities along the seafront.

There are more than 3,000 beach huts along the Tendring coastline which make a significant contribution to coastal areas attracting visitors from both inside and outside the District.

They are a valuable source or money directly to the Council and indirectly to local businesses.

The council has already demonstrated that there is a clear demand for new, quality beach huts both for purchase and rent.

It is also hoped that quality new huts along this stretch will encourage existing owners to improve their own structures and help regenerate the area.