The owners of 14 historic beach huts on a Suffolk seafront were 'thrilled' that a council has given planning permission for the huts to return to their former home.

On Tuesday, East Suffolk Council's planning committee gave the go-ahead for the huts currently stood behind a metal barrier in Golf Road, Felixstowe to be relocated to a site close to the Spa Pavilion theatre on the town's seafront.

The huts were among 44 that had stood near the Spa Pavilion since the 1880s - and are said to be the oldest in England - but had to be moved due to partially blocking the promenade after beach erosion meant the huts could no longer be sited along the shore.

READ MORE: Owners of 14 Felixstowe beach huts to hear on return home

However, while the council was able to find new homes for 30 of the huts, the remaining 14 had nowhere to go and were instead put into storage near the car park - an area known to campaigners as 'beach hut prison'.

Applicant the Felixstowe Beach Hut and Chalet Association had sought permission to return to the Spa Pavilion and was planning to position the huts on the wooden platform on the beach side of the promenade between a public shelter and the theatre.

Surveys had been carried out which showed that placing the huts on a wooden platform would help to address the concerns about the threat posed by beach erosion.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

Reacting to news of the planning approval, Ruth Dugdall, who owns one of the 14 huts, said: "We are thrilled that good sense finally prevailed and that the Spa beach huts are going home, where they’ve been since the 1880s.

"This is a win for Felixstowe and it’s important place in seaside history.”

Last week, she described the huts as a 'family asset' that had been in families for a long time, adding that the owners planned to create a heritage asset that reflected the long history - dating back 135 years -  and would be naming each property after a famous Felixstowe resident.

An East Suffolk Council spokesperson said: “East Suffolk Council’s planning committee south unanimously approved plans for the reinstatement of 14 beach huts with associated wooden platforms on the beach near the Spa Pavilion, in Felixstowe, on Tuesday December 19.

“An additional application for the siting of 14 beach huts southeast of Martello Park is still pending consideration.”

READ MORE: Suffolk news