Priory Bay - Private Security guards patrolling

DAKA

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We anchored off Priory Bay at the weekend after arranging for friends to join us by land on the beach for a BBQ
I was a little surprised to find the beach path locked with Private notices and a very polite and friendly beach security guard patrolling.
He didn’t interfere with our enjoyment in anyway shape or form but I got chatting to him and he said the beach was private, I pointed out that most the beach was between HW and LW and he said the new owners now owned the Priory Bay hotel and the beach to Low Water.
A google search indicates that locals have had a few run ins and the Hotel is unlikely to open again

It will be a real shame if we loose another beach to land on.
Priory Bay for those that haven’t been is just North of Bembridge on the IOW
perfect Sandy holding
perfect sun trap in SW.

skiers use the bay and RIBs occasionally speed by very close at 30 + knots but there isn’t much wash from them at that speed

Does anyone know if someone can own and restrict the use of a beach between HW and LW that has been used freely by the public for so long ?
 
If the only land way in is from passing over HW , then they are correct .
But generally as the link above says the bit between HW / LW is owned by the crown .There might be exceptions though , depends on the deeds ancient rights etc .Without sight of on this forum who knows .Plenty of oddball weird and wonderful rights lurking in the bowls of U.K. land registry.
 
I don't have a link but google is your friend: The Crown Estate publish a map of their land holdings and show their boundaries reasonably clearly.

I have no idea about the IOW but I was surprised to find that Wrabness beach is clearly marked as being private - owned by the huts - to way below the High Tide Mark.

The same could apply to the hotel's ownership.
 
Thanks for all all your replies ?
I have checked the Crown estate map and they own sea view on the right of the photo but not as far as Priory Bay ( centre)
so perhaps everyone has been trespassing for 20 years plus.C4504A93-C4B3-4DCA-9C64-849A3AD8BB92.jpeg
 
Quiet right….keep BBQing baffoons off the unspoilt coastline I say….especially those arriving by boat???
 
Quiet right….keep BBQing baffoons off the unspoilt coastline I say….especially those arriving by boat???

Is that a jab at Roy?

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because I could understand that! It takes a Saffer to make a braaivleis. The English have no concept.


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This thread has prompted me to read further and boy has it dispelled some myths. I was horrified to find that landing on any beach is technically trespassing unless specifically set aside.

This makes interesting reading to

Supreme Court - the right to be on the beach - UK Human Rights Blog
Scotland is soooooo much more civilized. We have the Countryside Access act, often referred to as "the right to roam". There is no such thing as trespass in Scotland, unless it can be proved that you are causing damage. Access, of course, comes with responsibility.
 
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"Priory Bay has been used and enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations, and the deeds state that the owners of the hotel must ‘not prevent or hinder the free use of the foreshore by the public for all reasonable and orderly recreative purposes’."

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A spokesperson for Aria Resorts said: "Following numerous incidents over the last few months we have had to increase the security presence at Priory Bay.

"The security is there to protect the buildings and private grounds, as unfortunately we have seen a significant increase in trespassing, damage to property, overnight camping, fires on the beach and in the surrounding woodland and a significant amount of littering across the grounds and beach area, potentially posing both an environmental and health risk.

"We have no desire to stop people enjoying this beautiful part of the coastline responsibly, including the local footpaths and access and of course wish to maintain the spirit of community that Priory Bay has had over many years.

"Unfortunately though we do have a clear duty to protect Priory Bay and the private grounds and need to ensure that everyone is treating the area with respect."

Peter Cambray, representing the security team on-site, posted on a community Facebook page that signs would soon be erected to state the beach is a private one.

He said: "If you're a regular user of the beach, you'll see that a member of our security team starts patrolling from 6pm asking nicely that you don't have bonfires or barbecues and that you don't camp overnight, using the woods as a public toilet.

"We ask you to respect the rights of the owners. Those that have said you cannot see a sign depicting private beach, these are coming."

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Shock as security guards on quad bikes patrol 'private' Priory Bay | Isle of Wight County Press

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The security is there to protect the buildings and private grounds, as unfortunately we have seen a significant increase in trespassing, damage to property, overnight camping, fires on the beach and in the surrounding woodland and a significant amount of littering across the grounds and beach area, potentially posing both an environmental and health risk.

And therein is the crux of the issue. As mobo'ers, or should I say, water users, we are always at pains to leave with no evidence of us ever having been there, to the point we will collect other rubbish and scraps too for correct disposal. Too many people just discard their waste or have no respect for the environs. Building a fire in or near woodland, using woodland fallings to scavenge for wood and leaving firepits and trash behind. That's not the way to behave responsibly.
 
We were there last September ... walked round to the beach from Duver marina ... didn't see anyone camping or evidence of people lighting fires, seems just an excuse to ramp up enforcement type action.
 
And therein is the crux of the issue. As mobo'ers, or should I say, water users, we are always at pains to leave with no evidence of us ever having been there, to the point we will collect other rubbish and scraps too for correct disposal. Too many people just discard their waste or have no respect for the environs. Building a fire in or near woodland, using woodland fallings to scavenge for wood and leaving firepits and trash behind. That's not the way to behave responsibly.
Why not do it on your own land ........in your own backyard ?
Just because some one has more , is that it why you go on there property .

I kick em off if I see ramblers staying onto our U.K. land if i spot them ,
 
Well I always quote what it says in my passport , and what men died for , quote.
TO ALL THOSE IT MAY CONCERN TO ALLOW THE BEARE TOPASS FREELY WITHOUT HINDRANCE,AND TO AFFORD THE BEARER SUCH ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY. IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN.
 
Well I always quote what it says in my passport , and what men died for , quote.
TO ALL THOSE IT MAY CONCERN TO ALLOW THE BEARE TOPASS FREELY WITHOUT HINDRANCE,AND TO AFFORD THE BEARER SUCH ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY. IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN.

Doesn't apply on the Isle of Wight
:LOL:
 
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