Sandbanks residents outraged as gipsies set up camp next to Millionaires' Row

But even an address as up-market as the Sandbanks peninsula does not prevent the arrival of determined new neighbours.

Just half a mile from the exclusive resort, a 50-strong group of travellers have made their home in a seaside car park.

A gang of travellers has invaded Sandbanks, one of the South's most exclusive seaside resorts, to the dismay of the locals

Late on Monday night a cavalcade of lorries towed the caravans into place in the genteel village of Canford Cliffs on the outskirts of Poole, Dorset.

And within hours the new arrivals had tethered a pony to the main road and strung up several lines of washing.

Residents living near the car park say dogs are running freely around the caravans and motor homes which have been parked near to the mansions of the super rich.
Said to be the fourth most expensive place to live in the world, Sandbanks' residents include Premiership football manager Harry Redknapp.

Seafront mansions sell for up to £10 million in the area and homeowners often fly in and out in helicopters.

The Sandbanks peninsula in Poole, Dorset, the fourth most expensive place to live in the world

Other residents include Sir Peter Ogden - owner of the Psion computer empire and founder of Computacenter - and Ian McGlyn, the reclusive Body Shop partner.

In Canford Cliffs itself a concierge dressed in top hat and tails stands at the door of the local hairdressers ready to escort customers to their luxury cars.

The village is considered so well to do that last year the local branch HSBC refused to serve non-Premier account holders.

Yesterday, Poole Borough Council confirmed that its staff, with police support, will issue penalty charges to any vehicle without a valid ticket at the car park.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp's £10million home on the luxury island

Nick Hill, from the council, said: 'We were notified by Police that 11 caravans, two motor homes plus associated vehicles had moved into Beach Road car park.

Our officers have visited the site and will continue checks to ensure the area is kept clean and tidy.

'It is our policy that unauthorised encampments will be tolerated as long as there is no significant impact on the local community.

'At this stage, the travellers have not indicated how long they intend to stay in the area.

'Colleagues from Transportation Services will be attending the site with Police support daily to issue penalty charge notices to any vehicles not displaying a valid ticket for the car park.'

But some of the local residents think tougher action might be called for.
Resident Susan Steele, 60, said: 'It is utterly outrageous. These people are allowed to just show up, set up home and make a mess with the tax-payers picking up the bill when they move on.

'They have even tethered a pony up on the main road to Canford Cliffs - it's unbelievable that they can get away with it.

'These things just don't happen around here.'

The travellers have arrived just in time for the National Sand Polo Championships due to be held in Sandbanks this Friday and Saturday.

Ken Pottle, chairman of the local Neighbourhood Watch, said: 'This is very annoying and sad to hear.

'I'm sure no-one really wants travellers in the area but they have so many rights these days.

'It is the beginning of the summer season and there will be lots of people wishing to park in the car park for the sand polo championships.

'But I want to reassure residents that Poole Borough Council are fully aware of the situation and are doing everything they can to enforce what is necessary.

'Hopefully, this action will mean they have got to move on.'

A spokesman for Poole Borough Council said the travellers could face fines of up to £70 for parking violations in the car park which charges £8 per day and £1.50 for an overnight stay.

He added that officials have not yet decided to take any further action on the group but said they will be monitoring the situation.

The spokesman said: 'We are advised that traveller encampments must be tolerated if they are not having a significant impact on the local community.

'This is a reflection of government policy.

'We will continue to monitor the situation and if it changes we can take action in the form of a court order.'