Spot the beach hut that's at the centre of a big row
FOR seven decades they have stood proudly together, a pristine row of identical white beach huts.
The 14 clapboard chalets have become an icon on the Dorset coast, evoking memories of a bygone era.
But now a millionaire has sparked a war by ripping down one of the much-loved huts to replace it with an “incongruous eyesore”.
Simon Saunders, 46, the boss of the Atom sports car firm, paid £235,000 for a hut. He then had it demolished and replaced with one that dwarfs the others.
Neighbours are furious with his oak and cedar one-bedroom bungalow on the beach at West Bexington, in the heart of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
The huts are among the most expensive of their kind in the world – one previously sold for £330,000.
Planning permission should never have been given
A council report into Mr Saunders’ planning application said his chalet would be “slightly larger” than the old one but of a “similar size” to the others. But Lester Cowling, 64, of West Bexington Heritage Group, said: “It dwarfs its neighbours. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Planning permission should never have been given.”
The chalet has a bathroom, kitchen and lounge. Powered by solar panels, it will have running water and drainage. Mr Saunders, a former designer for Porsche and Aston Martin, is entitled to live in it all year.
David Evans, of West Dorset Council, said: “A planning enforcement officer has visited the site and taken further measurements that reveal that the bungalow is in accordance with planning permission.”
Mr Saunders declined to comment.