A trip to the British seaside is synonymous with white pebble beaches, fish and chips and pastel chalets serenely overlooking the beach.

But there’s nothing peaceful about the beach chalets on the Dorset coast where nearly half of the leaseholders claim they have been unfairly evicted by a group of ‘disgraceful’ elderly ladies from their seaside cabins. 

Families claim the trust, run by a group of exclusive women that oversee the properties in Weymouth have evicted them for an alleged breach of rules without providing proof.

While others, who have been leaseholders for years, have been forced to leave because they don’t live in the area.

Meanwhile other leaseholders, who have been vigilant about the rules believe the group deserve to be evicted.

One resident, who chose to remain anonymous, told MailOnline: ‘The people that got kicked out deserve to be kicked out. I’ve been in the chalet for 10 years. There are rules and if you break the rules you’re out.

‘The committee have done a good job. They’ve put new doors on and they painted it and they’ve upgraded it. They don’t get any thanks.’

Greenhill Community Trust (GCT) took over the running of the chalets in Greenhill gardens and along the promenade from Weymouth town council in 2019.

Families claim the trust, run by a group of exclusive women that oversee the properties in Weymouth have evicted them for an alleged breach of rules without providing proof

Judy Haley (pictured), 69, who has had her chalet for two years says she feels ‘sorry’ for the situation but has had no problems with the Greenhill Community Trust

Greenhill Community Trust (GCT) took over the running of the chalets in Greenhill gardens and along the promenade from Weymouth town council in 2019

They manage the council-owned properties in Weymouth, which are leased for £1,600 a year.

The trust evicted 19 people for breaking ‘electricity rules’, which the booted out families claim was the fault of workmen carrying out maintenance on behalf of the trust.

However, the anonymous resident explained that workmen enter his chalet all the time and never forget to turn off the electronics.

He added: ‘It’s their own fault they get told not to leave their electrics on. The builders coming in and leaving their chargers is rubbish.

‘There’s even one woman that got kicked out that lives in America.’

The trust also evicted all families without a local address, a move that has labelled them as having ‘zero community spirit’.

But Carmel Starr, who has lived in Weymouth for years and dreamed of having a beach chalet so she can spend time on the beach with her grandchildren, thinks the trust are being fair.

She told MailOnline: ‘They’ve been kicking out non-Weymouth residents, which I think is entirely right because then they could be used regularly.

The trust evicted 19 people for breaking ‘electricity rules’, which the booted out families claim was the fault of workmen carrying out maintenance on behalf of the trust

The GCT manage the council-owned properties in Weymouth, which are leased for £1,600 a year

The trust evicted all families without a local address, a move that has labelled them as having ‘zero community spirit’

‘We would love to come down here with our grandchildren and let them access the beach.

‘Some time ago I expressed an interest in getting one and I was told ‘no chance’ and I expressed interest again and I didn’t even get an acknowledgment.

‘I feel the management could do with being more transparent, so if you apply they acknowledge your application and tell you if you’re on the waiting list.’

The group that has been evicted from their chalets said they received a letter out of the blue on January 19, stating their licences would not be renewed.

They attempted to appeal the decision but claimed the GCT refused to carry out an inquiry.

One chalet leaseholder, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of eviction, described the situation as ‘disgusting’.

He told MailOnline: ‘They’re not culpable to anything they do.

‘It’s their way or the highway, the one strike and you’re out rule that they’ve been doing is just disgraceful.

Carmel Starr (pictured), who has lived in Weymouth for years and dreamed of having a beach chalet so she can spend time on the beach with her grandchildren

The group that has been evicted from their chalets said they received a letter out of the blue on January 19, stating their licences would not be renewed

The chalet contract requires leaseholders to maintain the properties in ‘good decorative order’, so leaseholders are encouraged to spend money on maintenance

‘They’re using claims that electricity was left on, if you left the electricity on you would expect them to contact you and give you a warning but they’ve just kicked people out.

‘We’re very very mindful that if we get found to be talking against the trustees then we’ll be kicked out for some sort of reason.

‘Everyone’s treading on eggshells they’re absolutely scared stiff they’re going to get kicked out. We’ve spent a lot of money doing up our chalet and if you get kicked out you lose everything you put into it.

‘We’ve had our chalet for two years and we’ve been on the waiting list for years and now we’ve finally got one and we don’t want to lose it because we’ve got the kids and so, we’re very mindful of what we say and do.’

The chalet contract requires leaseholders to maintain the properties in ‘good decorative order’, so leaseholders are encouraged to spend money on maintenance.

The evicted group wrote: ‘The GCT reported that an inspection had been undertaken on November 11, 2024, by an independent individual, who determined that electricity had been left on. However, the GCT have failed to provide any proof of this claim.

‘As per the licence agreement, all fridges are required to be unplugged by September 30, 2024, which Chalet users adhered in line with the licence.

‘During this period, GCT painters and workmen were entering the chalets to carry out maintenance and repairs.

The group, which has been evicted attempted to appeal the decision but claimed the GCT refused to carry out an inquiry

One chalet leaseholder, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of eviction, described the situation as ‘disgusting’

‘Many chalet holders reported to have found drinks, phone chargers and other items left behind, indicating that workmen may have used the electricity while on site.

‘Five other chalet holders are also being evicted on the grounds that they are deemed to live out of the area and have been required to pay a higher yearly fee.

‘Several of these individuals reside in Chickerell and Osmington, which are clearly local and very much part of the Weymouth area.’

They also complained that the group of directors have got to keep their chalets.

The group added: ‘The GCT Directors are the only ones who can appoint new Directors. 

‘There is no consultation process, this is a clear conflict of interest, in that the directors are chalet occupiers themselves, and have been for many years.

‘Several chalet users with years of experience have expressed an interest in becoming Directors, however there is no way or notice they can apply for a post.

All Chalet users should have an opportunity to be considered as a Director of the Greenhill Community Trust CIC to ensure a balanced group with adequate representation, to ensure a balanced and impartial process.’

The evicted group complained that the GCT directors have got to keep their chalets

One chalet owner claimed there was someone leasing the beach hut in Weymouth but living in America

Lloyd Hatton, MP for South Dorset, has been advocating for the group.

He said: ‘I asked whether the GCT would consider meeting with licencees to try and resolve disagreements. They refused

‘I asked whether the GCT would consider a meeting with me to discuss these issues further. They refused this also.’

Judy Haley, 69, who has had her chalet for two years says she feels ‘sorry’ for the situation but has had no problems with the GCT.

She said: ‘This is my second year and there’s a lovely community here, everyone I’ve met is really friendly.

‘I haven’t had any problems the people who run the chalets are nice.

‘The fridges have been off all winter because if you leave them on it’s a fire hazard.’  

The GCT have been contacted for comment.