MILLIONAIRE neighbours are locked in a bitter row over an “oppressive” 40ft privacy fence suddenly built on a popular UK beach.
Locals of Sandbanks – dubbed millionaire’s playground – have been left fuming after a popular “public” beach was fenced off.
Previously unrestricted, the beach in Poole Harbour, Dorset was regularly frequented by dog walkers, swimmers and wayfarers alike.
But now, locals are locked into a bitter row over the erection of a 40ft timber privacy fence at one end of the beach behind a row of multi-million mansions.
Their owners are accused of an attempted “land grab” as a sign now warns “trespassers will be prosecuted” – it’s unclear who installed the fence.
Another sign declares the foreshore as a ‘private beach’ and anyone encroaching will now be picked up by a security camera equipped with motion sensors installed on the boundary fence of one of the waterfront properties.
A 75-year-old woman even claimed she was recently ordered to leave the beach because it was private property, say MailOnline.
It is believed that the area of beach between the back gardens of properties in a high-end cul-de-sac known as The Horseshoe and the high water mark is private.
Whereas the foreshore below this line has allegedly been open to the public for decades.
Locals claim that they’ve used the beach for over 80 years – some have now formed the Sandbanks Community Group (SCG) and have instructed a lawyer to take legal action.
Spearheading their legal efforts is Alan Lester and secretary of the SCG who approached the retired barrister when the fence was erected.
One of his primary goals of the group is to “resist any attempt of encroachment and taking over”.
He said that the public has been discouraged from using the foreshore because of the fence and questioned its purpose, saying the fence “gave the impression” the land behind it is private.
The SCG claims that the deeds for the piece of land is subject to public rights.
“Because of the extent it has been used over many, many years it could be perceived there is a prescriptive right that has been built up by the public to use the foreshore below the mean high water mark,” Lester added.
The chairman of the SGC has said there has been a “huge local reaction” and the group only resorted to taking legal action after attempting mediation with the property owners.
Owners of The Horseshoe properties have been reluctant to comment.
But one did add: “How would you like it if members of the public walked through your back garden?”
Sue Spencer, 75, claimed she was recently told to leave the foreshore by one homeowner – she has lived in Sandbanks since the 1980s.
“They say it is a private beach, it never has been. They want it to be private and that is why this fence and these signs have gone up,” she said.
Another resident dubbed the situation as a “land grab” and said it “was oppressive” to see the fence erected there.
The Sun has reached out to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for comment.
