CHALET users can extend their licences over the winter months, it has been announced.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council had previously told those who lease chalets at Greenhill they would need to return their keys at the end of next month.

But, the authority says, having listened to users who were ‘concerned about security and loss of revenue’, it has agreed to put off the move until March 31, 2015.

Council finance and assets briefholder, Cllr Colin Huckle, said: “Chalet users wanting to renew their licences will be asked to pay their licence fee until this date but the council will reimburse them if a new lease holder for the chalets wants to take over beforehand.

“The chalet users will also have one month’s written notice to vacate the chalets.

“We are asking that chalet licensees who do not wish to renew their licence, return their keys and remove their fittings and fixtures by no later than Monday, November 3.

“This is so the Greenhill chalets and the associated facilities can be handed over with vacant possession to a future lease holder.”

As reported in the Echo, community groups and businesses have until noon on October 16 to submit their proposals for the chalets and associated facilities, which have been put out for lease by the council.

The management committee will make a final decision in December.

“The borough council is not disposing of Greenhill Gardens,” cllr Huckle added.

“We will still own, manage and maintain the gardens and they will be fully accessible.”