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Since taking over management of the Greenhill Community Trust in 2019, the three directors have evicted six families and a sea swimming club. Sue Bray, Janis Chalker and Janet Cridland have been accused of acting in a “shameful and snooty” manner.

Families – who have enjoyed the 45 beach chalets for more than 50 years – were told their licences would not be renewed and say they were offered “no explanation”.

They say the directors – who are all in their 70s – have kept hold of their own chalets and there is a “waiting list” for new leases.

The management of the chalets was handed from the local council to the community interest company, previously the Greenhill Chalet User Group, in 2019.

The Greenhill chalets are priced at £1,035 per year which is reportedly a steal compared to renting a hut from Bournemouth Beach Lodges.

The price of beach huts in Britain has soared over recent years.

Back in April last year, a report found the average asking price had shot up from £25,578 to £36,034 a year later.

According to the Telegraph, Dorset Council said the terms of the agreement allow the trust to “manage all aspects of the property, including chalet licence fees”.

This meant rental fees can be raised if it chooses.

Since being evicted, tenants have expressed shock at the lack of communication from the chalet directors.

One resident posted on social media: “Sounds like a local cartel.

“Cartels do what they want when they want – they make their own rules.”

Former tenants, Gill and Colin Steel, have rented a chalet with their children for more than 50 years.

One of their daughters, Cate Steel, said they were told their licence would not be renewed after the family tried to get the trust to reduce the annual fees during Covid.

She said: “Our pleas just fell on deaf ears.

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“Since then, we have just felt cheated.

“They think they are little tin gods. I’ve got no idea whether they’ve got people set up that they want the chalets to go to … but I would like them to be held accountable.”

The Weymouth Bay Sea Swimmers club have started a petition after claiming they were “evicted” from their facility on the beach.

Jason West, club founder, said they found themselves locked out of their cabin when they challenges the three directors when they asked the swimmers to pay a “steep” rent.

He said: “When they took over, they asked us to pay a certain amount of money in rent … but it was quite steep.

“We said: ‘Can we have a chat about this?’

“They said no and then they evicted us. We don’t have a home.”

In a statement, the Greenhill Community Trust said it had “autonomy” to manage the chalets.

A spokesperson said: “The Greenhill Community Trust CIC were granted a 30-year lease in 2019.”

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