The millionaires at war with Sandbanks dog walkers over their ‘private’ beach after their fence sparked fury

This is the millionaire insurance tycoon who fenced off the beach outside his £3.5million Sandbanks home, sparking a violent row with dog walkers.

Ian Penfold, 59, and his much younger wife Camila have sparked outrage among pet owners, sea swimmers and water sports enthusiasts by erecting a new fence blocking access to the sand at their sprawling beachside mansion.

Sandbanks residents claim to enjoy unrestricted access to the sandy shore on the north side of the prestigious peninsula in Poole Harbour, Dorset, which has become a favorite spot for a sunset stroll.

But they are now cut off from the beach after an ‘oppressive’ wooden fence was erected along the edge of Mr and Mrs Penfold’s £3.5m property earlier this month.

New signs saying ‘Private Beach’ and ‘Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted’ were also put up to prevent anyone from accessing the shore.

A security camera with a motion sensor on the border fence also monitors everyone who crosses.

A 75-year-old woman, who has been using the beach for decades, claims one of the hosts shouted at her to “stay away from the beach” because it was “private property”.

But residents living in the exclusive Horseshoe cul-de-sac, which opens directly onto the sea, claim that the beach and waterfront are owned by their homeowners, so they have no right of way.

Mr Penfold and his much younger wife Camila sparked outrage among pet owners, sea swimmers and water sports enthusiasts by erecting a new fence.

Sandbanks residents have been denied access to the beach after an ‘oppressive’ wooden fence was erected at the edge of Mr and Mrs Penfold’s property

And a roadside council sign says the footpath, officially known as ‘Trail 82’, goes ‘to the shoreline’ but not along the coast.

Mr and Mrs Penfold refused to comment on their decision to erect a new fence blocking access to the beach and increased security measures when approached for comment.

Ms Penfold said simply: ‘We don’t even want to talk about it.’

But one of his wealthy neighbors explained: ‘This is a private beach. The owners of each property have purchased the beach and foreshore, the land exposed at low tide, so there is no right of way.

‘Like all other property owners, we bought the land, the beach and part of the sea right behind our houses.

‘We let people walk their dogs in front of our houses when the water recedes, but they have no right to be there. ‘This is private land.’

But other neighbors accused Mr and Mrs Penfold of going too far by erecting a new fence and putting up offensive signs.

One of them told the Daily Mail: ‘The whole thing seems a bit ridiculous to me. We discussed all of this with the council about two years ago.

New signs reading ‘Private Beach’ and ‘Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted’ have also been put up to prevent anyone from accessing the shore

The fence is circled. Neighborhood residents instructed lawyers to take legal action after the argument

‘Private’ beach signs are pictured. One reads: ‘CCTV operating 24 hours a day. Stay on the 6-foot walkway. “Those who trespass will be prosecuted.”

‘They decided there was no right of way on the beach and that Trail 82 only went down to the beach and not along the beach past our homes.

‘This is a small fight if you ask me.’

Another neighbor added: ‘I’ve lived here for a long time but I still find beach access a very complicated issue.

‘I have different views from other people who have just moved to the area. That’s all I want to say.’

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council did not want to make a statement on the matter, claiming it was a ‘private dispute between residents and the landowner’.

However, a municipal official confirmed that the disputed sand was in fact a private beach.

Local Conservative councilor John Challinor said: ‘I understand people want to maintain the access they have had for years.

‘The fence appears to be trying to create a line and gives the impression that access is restricted.

‘But I can also understand that people spend a lot of money on their properties and would not want members of the public wandering around their gardens.’

Insurance broker Mr Penfold made his fortune with A-One Insurance, which he founded from scratch in 1993 and now has an annual turnover of over £20 million and a staff of 95.

The couple wed in a lavish wedding ceremony held at Lulworth Castle in December 2021.

They lived in Wimborne, Dorset, before buying a beachside house in Sandbanks for £3.5 million in May last year.

The sandy shore is a favorite spot for those walking their dogs, swimming in the sea, boating and going for sunset walks.

A roadside council sign says the road, officially known as ‘Trail 82’, goes ‘to the shoreline’ but not along the coast

When the Daily Mail visited the area on Monday, three luxury cars stood in the narrow driveway and an immaculate white Persian cat sat in the wooden entrance of the house.

But their arrival was not without incident, as they managed to upset not only dog ​​walkers and strays in the area, but also their own neighbors.

Plans to demolish the stylish waterfront property and replace it with an ‘ugly square box’ have caused uproar among locals.

Proposals include building a basement with five bedrooms as well as a gym, sauna, home cinemas, golf simulator and outdoor swimming pool; critics describe it as ‘secretly plotting’.

When the Daily Mail visited the area on Monday, three luxury cars stood in the narrow driveway and an immaculate white Persian cat sat in the wooden entrance of the house.