IN reply to the letter from Simon Gwynn in the Daily Echo (May 30) regarding a proposal for limiting the length of time tenants can own a beach hut.

In Bournemouth we have just under 2,000 beach hut sites, of which 250 are council-owned and are available for short term hire – so being available to both local people and visitors to the area to enjoy.

Whilst it might appear on any given day that a minority of private beach huts are being used the fact that there are waiting lists for these sites proves that there is a significant market demand for beach huts in Bournemouth.

However, we feel that our current mix of private annual sites and council rented sites allows the right balance for all our beach users.

CLLR LAWRENCE WILLIAMS, Ward Councillor for Littledown & Iford, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure & Culture