Beachfront Feud: Residents Clash Over Exclusive Access in Seaside Town

As of November 1st, 2025, a seaside town in Poole is embroiled in a heated dispute over a section of beach where a fence has been erected, restricting public access. The row has split the community, with locals claiming their right to roam has been denied, while homeowners argue the land is privately owned and they can use it as they please.

Residents like Suzanne McGowan, who has lived in Sandbanks since 1992 and walked the area daily with her dog, say "nobody owns the sand" and that the beach is a natural public right of way. Fanny Thomas, an 80-year-old local, recounts being told to "go away" when she recently walked her dog on the beach late at night, with a security light and CCTV camera monitoring her movements.

On the other side, homeowners with rear gardens leading to the sand, such as Nick Sawyer, insist the area is a "foreshore" that is privately owned. The Sandbanks Community Group, led by Norman Allenby-Smith, is now seeking legal advice, fearing the situation could set a precedent and impact public access to other areas of the peninsula.

Despite the ongoing tensions, some residents like Mr. Sawyer say they don't mind people walking along the beach as long as they are "courteous and respectful." The complex issue of land ownership and public access rights continues to divide this seaside community.