Discussions have begun to find a long-term solution to stop people parking and camping on a beach in Norman’s Bay.

Throughout the summer, the number of people illegally parking and camping on the beach at Herbrand Walk, some for weeks at a time, has increased.

Last month Rother District Council officers worked with Sussex Police, NES enforcement staff, East Sussex County Council parking enforcement, the Environment Agency and their contract Pevensey Coastal Defence Ltd to clear the beach and allow vital sea defence work to be carried out to help protect properties during the October storms.

A total of 24 caravans and vehicles parked on the beach contrary to Byelaws and other legislation were moved on. Most left voluntarily when asked and further enforcement action was taken on others, including issuing fixed penalty notices.

Much of the beach at Herbrand Walk is in private ownership and these landowners have a responsibility to prevent trespass on their land.

The agencies are now working together to try find long term solutions to prevent trespass onto the beach.

Cllr Jimmy Stanger, for the Rother Community Safety Partnership said “It was good to see all the agencies working together to resolve this urgent problem in October, and we are grateful to East Sussex County Councilllor Nuala Geary for her involvement, but this took considerable resources. We need to find practical solutions to stop this happening next year.”

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Published: 14th November 2023