A £15 a night parking charge and ban on caravans are set to be brought in at a scenic seafront labelled a “squatter camp”.

The new measures for Shingle Bank beach, which is on the border of Minster and Sheerness, were voted for by Swale council last night.

It comes after residents raised their concerns with KentOnline almost a year ago that people living in caravans on the beach.

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 fees would allow people to “enjoy the beach during the day whilst dissuading overnight use”.

But not everyone wanted 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.”

Nevertheless, the community and leisure committee voted unanimously for the recommended measures which are also set to be put in place on Shellness Road in Leysdown where there are also concerns about motorhomes parking overnight.

The authority’s new scheme needs to go in front of the policy and resources committee for the funding for the project to be approved in March.

Swale will have to spend £37,400 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.

The council hopes this will all be implemented by the summer. There are no income targets or estimates for the first year as there is no precedent for who will use the parking option.

Cllr Mike Whiting (Ind), who sits on the committee, says he thinks the charges will “reopen” the beach to holidaymakers, particularly windsurfers.

He told KentOnline following the vote: “People have told me they had been put off going to the beach because of the number of vehicles parked up there.

“It is a shame the council lost control of what was going up there as it has unfortunately become unsightly.

“If we can get the vehicles permanently parked there removed it will make it more enjoyable for people.

“The £15 is lower than some neighbouring authorities charge yet doesn’t undercut commercial parks on the Island.

“We also will have a review on the charges in 12 months time to see if we need to tweak them.”

Swale launched a consultation on the issue in December which had more than 1,200 responses from the public.

While around half of respondents wanted the charges, 26% wanted things to stay the same.

Meanwhile, the same number wanted access to the beach, which was created as a sea defence, to be restricted at all times.