The date has been revealed for when new overnight parking charges and a ban on caravans at a scenic seafront dubbed a “squatter camp” will come into effect.
The measures for the Shingle Bank beach come after Sheppey residents raised their concerns with KentOnline more than a year ago that people are living there in tourers.
Complaints included intimidation, people dumping human sewage into the sea, a lack of spaces for visitors during the day, anti-social behaviour and littering.
Swale council started to consider implementing charges in October as people living nearby told KentOnline that they feared the “encampment” was growing.
There is currently a ban on overnight camping, but it has not been enforced, leading to caravans staying there for long periods of time.
Swale had attempted to solve the problem when it brought in width restrictions on the Shingle Bank in August 2020.
The authority, which runs the Environmental Agency-owned beach, said introducing the new £15 overnight fee would allow people to “enjoy the beach during the day whilst dissuading overnight use”.
Then on March 5, Swale councillors voted to implement the new measures, which are also set to be put in place on Shellness Road in Leysdown, where there are also concerns about motorhomes parking overnight.
This week Swale council has confirmed it would be starting work “as soon as possible” on the scheme, “ready for implementation” on August 1.
But not everyone thinks there should be charges on the beach.
In September, a petition with 488 signatures was presented to a Sheppey Area Committee asking for it to remain free.
KentOnline spoke to Island resident Jim Smart, who drives to Shingle Bank to play on his keyboard by the sea and get “away from everything”.
He said: “Of course, you do get some bad apples who live up here but there are also plenty of people who treat the beach with respect by picking up not only their rubbish but other people’s as well.
“Because it is free you get all sorts of people using it and it is a community asset for people looking for a cheap day out, and this is something we do need to keep.”
The project will cost the council £37,400. These funds are needed to pay for enforcement, general repairs, signage and traffic orders at both locations.
The money will also be needed for cameras to be installed at Shingle Bank beach and the removal of the concrete barriers it installed more than four years ago.
