Controversial Sandilands £30k beach hut up for top award against multi-million pound projects

A beach hut in Sandilands described as '˜wacky' by its detractors, is in line for prestigious gong - provided it can see off competition from rivals with multi-million pound budgets.
The controversial beach hut (right) in Sandilands.The controversial beach hut (right) in Sandilands.
The controversial beach hut (right) in Sandilands.

The beach hut - which cost £30,000 - has been short-listed for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 1017 East Midlands award.

However, it faces some competition from a library in Nottingham and Leicester Cathedral’s Richard III project.

The beach hut was designed by Jonathan Hendry Architects Ltd in Holton le Clay for client Tim Spring.

It is situated on Roman Bank in Sandilands, but was built despite strong opposition from residents.

Planners at East Lindsey District Council gave the final approval on two occasions in 2015, but only after residents hit out at the design, claiming it was ‘wacky’ and ‘out of character’ with other beach huts.

At the time, Mr Spring hit back at the criticism, saying he wanted a ‘21st century beach hut, using classic materials’.

Mr Hendry said he was proud to be nominated for the award and described it as ‘great news’ for the area.

He told the Leader: “We are delighted that our project has been shortlisted.

“It’s great for our area that projects such as this one are being recognised nationally.

“The beach hut proves that a project does not have to be grand in scale to be of architectural interest, and we look forward to the announcement of the awards at the end of May.”

RIBA East Midlands chair, Valeria Passetti, said the standard of entries this year was very high.

She said: “It’s fantastic that eight projects have been short-listed.

“The range and diversity of the schemes selected, including two by regionally-based practices, is testament to the inspiring architecture that this region has to offer.”

Ian Bishop, 47, a visitor to Sandilands, said the beach hut looked nice but added he could not see what ‘all the fuss was about’.

He added: “Some of the beach huts are in terrible condition and it would be nice to see them tidied up.”

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