HOLIDAY
CHALET FOR SALE
The Humberston Fitties developed when the area was divided up into plots
of different sizes during the 1920s. These areas became known as plot
lands. During the First World War the coastal area was used for billeting
soldiers who were stationed in the nearby Haile Sands Fort. After the
war a local family set up a tent so they could have access to fresh
air to combat ill health. The following year they erected a chalet and
after the soldiers were demobbed other people moved in with tents or
into the original camp huts used by the soldiers.
More holidaymakers arrived bringing their own accommodation in the
form of caravans, buses and old railway carriages. As the area developed
holiday chalets were built on stilts and wheels because the area was
prone to flooding. In 1938 the land ownership was passed to the local
authority.
This has allowed preservation of this unique area when other similar
private plot lands have been gradually sold off for development over
the years. During World War II the chalets were again returned to military
duty, and it is believed that a decoy representing Grimsby Docks was
erected nearby. In 1947 the Planning laws were changed and became much
more stringent in respect of holiday chalets.
As a result, caravans became more popular because they were subject
to fewer restrictions. In 1953 many of the chalets were destroyed by
the disastrous floods, which breached the Lincolnshire Coastline. Others
had to be recovered from neighbouring plots. The sea defences were then
improved which meant that many chalets lost their sea views.
Modern conveniences such as roads, water and sewage systems have been
added by the authority over the years and in 1996 the area was declared
a conservation area following requests from the tenants. This was followed
by an Article 4 Direction in 1998, which allows the authority greater
control over development in the area to preserve the character of the
area to benefit everyone. The ownership of the Fitties has now passed
from the local council to Tingdene.
