Long Island Poole Harbour (You Can Land on Foreshore)

[robyonfrome]

This Saturday I was on the foreshore of long island when I was told that I could not land as it was private property. The chap that told me appears to be living on the island in a barge and told me he was acting on the instructions of the Rempstone Estate. I argued that I didn’t think they could stop you landing between the mean high water and low water marks but he disputed the fact and I had to leave. I consulted Ian Bishop, the deputy harbour master of Poole harbour this morning and he confirmed that you can definitely land on the foreshore up to the high water mark. Another interesting fact is that the barge on which the groundsman of the island lives on, is allegedly moored there illegally. Although I can understand the Rempstone Estate wanting the island for their own pleasure, this must not interfere with the rights that so many families have enjoyed for umpteen years and although a few people tend to abuse the island, lighting fires and leaving rubbish there ( which I have picked up on occasions) this is not justification for the few to ruin the enjoyment of the vast majority of responsible boaters.

 

[[2068]]

They want the island to be tripper-free so they can sell it: it's a bit difficult marketing an island retreat at £5m when the public are walking over it, and even more so with a pending rights-of-way application!

More info HERE.

 

[jhr]

Interesting stuff.

Whatever the issues behind the right of way, the law about landing below the HW mark is clear and unequivocal, and you should tell the "Groundsman" to go forth and multiply if he tries it on again.

Similar techniques should be deployed against employees of the National Trust who try to prevent you landing your motorised craft below the HW mark on Studland beach /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[robyonfrome]

When I saw the barge beached on the Island I did wonder whether they might put a few of them and use as a water sports holiday centre, I must say that would be a brilliant idea and that would explain why they don’t want the public there, but according to the harbour master the barge is parked there illegally so they cant do that.

 

[gimmesunshine]

we should all carry on using the island up to HW mark
its the queens forshore, not theres
real shame, was a superb place to take the family