A heated coastal conflict has erupted on Bournemouth's prestigious shoreline, where a wealthy property owner's installation of a wood-fired sauna is forcing the local volleyball community to abandon their traditional playing grounds.
Smoke and Fury on the Sands
The Bournemouth Beach Volleyball Club, a beloved institution that has operated for years on the golden sands, now finds itself literally smoked out of its regular court location. Thick plumes from the newly erected sauna, positioned directly adjacent to their playing area, are creating hazardous playing conditions and rendering the space unusable for sports enthusiasts.
Millionaire's Beachfront Transformation
The controversy centres around a luxury beach hut property, recently acquired by a private millionaire owner who has significantly expanded the structure's footprint. The transformation includes not only the contentious wood-burning sauna but also substantial landscaping works that have effectively cordoned off a significant portion of the beach previously accessible to the public.
"We've been completely pushed out," lamented one long-time club member. "The smoke billows right across our courts, making it impossible to play. It feels like we're being deliberately squeezed off the beach we've called home for decades."
Public Access Under Threat
Local residents and beachgoers have joined the volleyball club in expressing outrage at what they perceive as the gradual privatisation of public space. The extensive works have included:
- Installation of permanent fencing and barriers
- Construction of the wood-fired sauna unit
- Significant landscaping altering natural beach access
- Creation of private seating and entertainment areas
Council Under Pressure
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council now faces mounting pressure to intervene in the dispute. While the property owner maintains all developments fall within permitted rights, critics argue the scale and impact of the changes violate the spirit of coastal access laws designed to protect public enjoyment of Britain's shoreline.
"This isn't just about volleyball," explained a local coastal access campaigner. "It's about preserving our beaches for everyone, not just those who can afford to buy up chunks of our coastline and effectively privatise them."
Search for New Home
Meanwhile, the displaced volleyball players face an uncertain future as they scramble to find alternative court space along Bournemouth's increasingly crowded beachfront. The club, which has nurtured local talent and provided community sports opportunities for generations, now worries about its long-term survival.
The situation highlights growing tensions along Britain's coastline between private property rights and public access, raising questions about who truly owns the nation's precious beachfronts.
