A line within the sand: the fence dividing residents within the sandbanks

“We are being deprived of something that should be free to us,” is the sentiment of some native residents of the seaside city that has divided a bit of seashore.

Resorts akin to Sandbanks at Poole usually lie dormant within the winter months, quietly ready for the summer season vacationer hordes to reach as soon as once more.

But after the seashore was fenced, A dispute arose between the residents Who take pleasure in this space all 12 months spherical.

Some locals declare that their rights of motion have been restricted and others say that the land belongs to them they usually can use it as they want.

As a daily seashore goer I went down to listen to either side of an argument that has divided a group.

Sandbanks holds a particular place in my coronary heart because the place the place I first met and proposed to my spouse.

And as I strolled alongside the promenade on a cold autumn morning I turned conscious of dozens of different folks wandering in their very own worlds, every with their very own particular connection to this place.

This is why there was elevated ardour amongst folks for erecting a picket fence on part of the seashore earlier this 12 months.

“Nobody owns the sand, the sand is a natural public right of way,” says Suzanne McGowan, who has lived within the Sandbanks since 1992 and walks her canines within the space day by day.

“The boy I have today came for the first time when he was 12 weeks old and now he's 12 and a half years old,” she says, taking a look at her black Labrador.

We stroll alongside footpath quantity 82, which is a brief distance from the primary seashore, with a yacht membership on one aspect and lodging on the opposite.

It runs from Panorama Road to the shore of Poole Harbor and has been utilized by locals for many years to entry the seashore and coast.

Luxury houses are fortunate sufficient to have gardens on the again that lead straight all the way down to the sand which is fenced.

There is now additionally an indication warning folks to remain inside the 1.8 meter vast path on the seashore, stating: “Trespassers will be prosecuted.”

Ms McGowan mentioned she was not too long ago requested to depart the realm after her canine went past the fence onto land the householders say is theirs.

She mentioned she has not been capable of return to the positioning since as a result of she discovered it “too intimidating”.

Fanny Thomas, who’s about to show 80, says she has been visiting the realm all her life.

She mentioned that whereas she was strolling her canine on the seashore late at night time not too long ago, a safety gentle got here on, a CCTV digital camera was filming her and a voice echoed from a close-by speaker telling her to “go away”.

Sue Draper has lived within the space because the Eighties and is “outraged” by the scenario.

“Why should we fence our beach?” he requested.

He mentioned residents “have used it for so many years and no one has had any problems”.

He mentioned that when folks comply with the general public footpath they’re now pressured to congregate on a small patch of sand as a result of there may be “nowhere to go”.

Leslie Barrett has been strolling there since 2002 and mentioned the quiet space is right for strolling canines when the primary seashore is busy.

“We don't just sit there, we move along and then come back,” he mentioned.

Sandbanks tops checklist as Britain's costliest seaside location Last 12 months the typical home worth within the space was £965,708.

On the Horseshoe, which is the street that leads again to the seashore within the heart of the row, I’m greeted by the entrance gates of homes whose gardens result in the sand.

After making an attempt each buzzer on the road I used to be unable to find the proprietor of the fence, though Nick Sawyer, who lives throughout the road, answered his intercom and shared his ideas.

“As they keep saying, it's not a beach, it's actually a beach and it's privately owned,” he mentioned.

He added, “This has all really gotten out of control and is ridiculous.”

Mr. Sawyer instructed me he doesn't thoughts folks strolling on the seashore, so long as they’re “polite and respectful.”

“I'm not trying to fight anyone here, I'm just trying to find an amicable solution,” he mentioned.

Norman Allenby-Smith, chairman of the 650-member Sandbanks Community Group, says he has additionally been looking for an honest answer however has “failed” to date.

He mentioned threats from native residents are what pressured his group to take motion.

He mentioned, “We felt we should do something about it, before it was friendly and people didn't mind, but now unfortunately it has taken it to the extreme.”

The group is now looking for authorized recommendationBecause they worry what impression leaving one thing like that may have.

“All this sets a precedent and there are other areas where similar problems can occur if care is not taken,” he mentioned.

“We have to keep an eye on the safety of the public realm around the peninsula.”

The Crown Estate (TCE) manages roughly half of the coast round England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the land between the imply excessive and imply low water mark.

It added: “The land in question is not owned by TCE and appears to be privately owned.”

A spokesperson for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council mentioned: “As the land is owned, no planning application is required for the fence.

“In terms of the beach, I have been informed by the relevant authority that it is a private beach and there is nothing further to suggest that public access is possible.”

Campaigner Lewis Winks, from nationwide group Right to Rome, is interesting for brand new legal guidelines to guard public entry in rural areas.

He mentioned possession may be “complex” and the group desires folks to have entry to locations the place they’ve traditionally been capable of go to “regardless of ownership.”

“I think one of the issues we're facing is that ownership structures are so complex and because we don't have strong statutory rights of access, we get into situations where people can lose really cherished access overnight,” he mentioned.