Fed-up locals calling for fee to stop seafront becoming campervan "squatter camp"
- 11 days ago
Fed-up residents living near a stretch of scenic seafront say campervan owners should be charged - to stop the area from becoming a "squatter camp".
Locals living near the Shingle Bank on Kent's Isle of Sheppey say many mobile homeowners practically live on the seafront and ruin it by urinating on the beach.
However, campervan owners argue they are doing no harm and are contributing to the local community by visiting.
The Shingle Bank, on the border of Sheerness and Minster, is a popular spot for visitors to the Isle of Sheppey.
The scenic beach also attracts many caravans and campervans, who are not currently charged to park but are not supposed to stay overnight.
But resident Tracie Jackson believes people using the car park should have to pay.
She points to charges introduced in March to deter extended stays at the previously free Ship on Shore car park, just under 500 metres down the road.
Local councillors hoped the charge would stop mobile homes being "dumped" on the seafront for long periods.
But Mrs Jackson, who has lived in the area for four years, says the vehicles have simply moved along to the Shingle Bank.
“We have to pay and we are not getting anything back from it," she said.
“They introduced charges across the road and now they have all moved up there and aren’t paying a penny.”
Another elderly resident, who did not want to be named, said if people continue to live there for "weeks at a time" it will become a "squatter camp".
“We have to pay for the amenity, which is one of the only nice things we have in the area, and I feel like I can’t use it," the 80-year-old said.
“There are caravans parked there for weeks at a time and they are not paying their way in society.
"It is taking the mickey out of us who do pay our rates.
“It is also unhygienic, as I doubt many of those camping there are using the facilities at Barton Point.
"You can see them urinating on the beach.”
But Jim Smart, an island resident of 36 years who often drives his Fiat Cab to the beach to relax, brands this line of thinking "ignorant".
The 67-year-old adds that most people who park there put money into the local economy.
And though he does admit that some abuse the beach by parking their vehicles there for long periods, Mr Smart says most visitors obey the rules and don't park overnight.
“People seem to think we are getting away with something here and not paying our way," he said.
“I have a house here and pay my rates and there’s a few people who park here who are in the exact same situation.
“There’s a woman who lives a quarter of a mile away and spends the whole day here for her mental health.
“Charges would affect the local tourism, as a lot of people go down the pub or to a local cafe when they park here."
Mr Smart added that mobile homeowners perhaps wouldn't mind paying a fee if the facilities were more like those in Europe.
“The trouble is there are no facilities here to pay for," he explained.
Locals living near the Shingle Bank on Kent's Isle of Sheppey say many mobile homeowners practically live on the seafront and ruin it by urinating on the beach.
However, campervan owners argue they are doing no harm and are contributing to the local community by visiting.
The Shingle Bank, on the border of Sheerness and Minster, is a popular spot for visitors to the Isle of Sheppey.
The scenic beach also attracts many caravans and campervans, who are not currently charged to park but are not supposed to stay overnight.
But resident Tracie Jackson believes people using the car park should have to pay.
She points to charges introduced in March to deter extended stays at the previously free Ship on Shore car park, just under 500 metres down the road.
Local councillors hoped the charge would stop mobile homes being "dumped" on the seafront for long periods.
But Mrs Jackson, who has lived in the area for four years, says the vehicles have simply moved along to the Shingle Bank.
“We have to pay and we are not getting anything back from it," she said.
“They introduced charges across the road and now they have all moved up there and aren’t paying a penny.”
Another elderly resident, who did not want to be named, said if people continue to live there for "weeks at a time" it will become a "squatter camp".
“We have to pay for the amenity, which is one of the only nice things we have in the area, and I feel like I can’t use it," the 80-year-old said.
“There are caravans parked there for weeks at a time and they are not paying their way in society.
"It is taking the mickey out of us who do pay our rates.
“It is also unhygienic, as I doubt many of those camping there are using the facilities at Barton Point.
"You can see them urinating on the beach.”
But Jim Smart, an island resident of 36 years who often drives his Fiat Cab to the beach to relax, brands this line of thinking "ignorant".
The 67-year-old adds that most people who park there put money into the local economy.
And though he does admit that some abuse the beach by parking their vehicles there for long periods, Mr Smart says most visitors obey the rules and don't park overnight.
“People seem to think we are getting away with something here and not paying our way," he said.
“I have a house here and pay my rates and there’s a few people who park here who are in the exact same situation.
“There’s a woman who lives a quarter of a mile away and spends the whole day here for her mental health.
“Charges would affect the local tourism, as a lot of people go down the pub or to a local cafe when they park here."
Mr Smart added that mobile homeowners perhaps wouldn't mind paying a fee if the facilities were more like those in Europe.
“The trouble is there are no facilities here to pay for," he explained.