A ban on caravans and the introduction of overnight parking charges at the Shingle Bank, off Marine Parade, between Sheerness and Minster.
The measures at the seafront location have been brought in by Swale council after residents labelled it a “squatter camp”. The council has introduced the ban from 1st August 2025 where there are charges of £15 for people parking overnight.
The council started to consider implementing charges in October, as people living nearby said they feared the “encampment” was growing.
Complaints included intimidation, people dumping human waste into the sea, a lack of spaces for visitors during the day, anti-social behaviour, and littering.
The same charges are also being introduced at Shellness Road, Leysdown, where similar concerns have been raised about motorhomes staying overnight.
People believed to be living on the Shingle Bank were issued with notices ordering them to leave by 9am on Wednesday, 30th July, although there are still several caravans in position there.
Swale has also installed CCTV and is repairing the road surface at the entrance to Shingle Bank. It has also implemented traffic orders and is funding additional enforcement and adding signage. This is expected to cost the council £37,400.
People who are living on the beach said they have “nowhere to go” now that they are being kicked off the land – which proves that people have been living there long-term.
A Swale council spokesman added “The people living on the beach have been aware of these changes since the decision was made at committee and have had adequate time to find alternative accommodation. We are actively urging those who have not been able to find alternative accommodation to contact our housing support team for a full housing needs assessment.”
