On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, BCP Council announced that the classification of the beach huts in Mudeford Sandspit and Hengistbury Head would change allowing the local authority to full second home council tax for the huts.
Just over 340 beach huts will be affected by this change, with 231 owned by non-residents of the BCP Council area.
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This change will generate an additional £211,000 for the council to support essential local services for residents, as well as additional funds raised through the precept for fire and police services.
Money raised from the change is going to be used to support under-pressure local services.
From April 1, 2026, the huts will be classified as class A second homes (with planning restrictions), in accordance with professional opinion and will be subject to full council tax.
During the debate at full council no comments were made specifically about tha change in classification for the beach huts.
Members voted 39 – 20 with eight abstentions to approve the budget which included the removal of the historic 50 per cent council discount at a meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.