BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833) Pic: BNPS ONLINE EMBARGO UNTIL 14:00 27th OCTOBER Pictured: Angry Sandbanks residents next to the fence Get orf my beach – Fence lines are drawn in Sandbanks land grab row between barrister-led residents’ association and the multi-millionaire owners – including a TV celebrity – of a row of harbour-front mansions who don’t want the public walking in their beach.. A land grab row has erupted on Sandbanks after millionaire residents were accused of fencing off a public beach behind their mansions. For decades people have enjoyed unrestricted access to the sandy foreshore on the northern side of the exclusive peninsula in Poole Harbour, Dorset. It is a favourite spot for dog walkers, families going for a paddle and for those taking in an sunset stroll. But all that has changed after an ‘oppressive’ timber fence was mysteriously and suddenly appeared at one end of the beach.Credit: BNPSMILLIONAIRE 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.
Locals of Sandbanks are furious after a popular ‘public’ beach has been fenced offCredit: BNPS
Residents have teamed up against the fence and are taking legal actionCredit: BNPS
Previously unrestricted, the beach in Poole Harbour, was regularly frequented by 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 behind a row of multi-million .
Their owners are accused of an attempted “land grab” as the sign warns “trespassers will be prosecuted” – it’s unclear who installed the fence.
And anyone encroaching will now be picked up by a security camera equipped with motion sensors installed on the fence of one of the waterfront .
A 75-year-old woman even said she was recently ordered to leave the beach because it was private property.
It is believed that the area of beach between the back of properties in a high-end cul-de-sac known as The Horseshoe and the high end water water mark is private.
Whereas the foreshore below this line has been open to the public for decades.
Locals claim that they’ve accessed the beach for over 80 years – they have now formed the Sandbanks Community Group (SCG) and have instructed a to take legal action.
Spearheading the legal efforts is Alan Lester, a retired barrister and secretary of the SCG.
His primary goal 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 only resorted to taking legal action after attempting mediation with the property owners.
A security camera was also installed on the fence of a nearby waterfront propertyCredit: BNPS
Residents have argued it’s an attempted ‘land grab’Credit: BNPS
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.
She told MailOnline : “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.”
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.
Retired barrister Alan Lester is spearheading legal effortsCredit: BNPS 
