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Community Fights Fence Blocking Public Path
3 Jul
Summary
- A community group obtained legal advice regarding blocked beach access.
- A fence has obstructed a public footpath on the Sandbanks peninsula.
- Landowners claim the area is private foreshore, not a public beach.
A community group on Dorset's exclusive Sandbanks peninsula is pursuing legal avenues to restore public access to a beach. A fence has been erected, blocking a public footpath that led to the beach and foreshore along Poole Harbour. This obstruction has sparked a dispute, with the Sandbanks Community Group obtaining legal advice asserting that the path should remain open.
Norman Allenby-Smith, chair of the community group, expressed optimism that this legal counsel will help broker an amicable resolution with the property owners involved. These landowners have previously argued that the fenced-off area is not a public beach but rather privately owned foreshore. The situation remains ongoing as discussions continue.
