The owner of Bembridge Harbour has taken decisive action to seal off a makeshift camp site on the Bembridge Point car park, with 12 vehicles now trapped inside.

The issue has been ongoing for more than a year and, despite warnings, van dwellers continued to park on the privately-owned land. However, the 12 remaining residents claim that this week they were given a deadline of less than 48 hours to move their vehicles which was unreasonable and they had nowhere to go at such short notice.

Bembridge Harbour owner, Malcolm Thorpe, explained: “We started the process about three months ago. At first everybody left peacefully, but then some of them decided they would return. We installed an arrangement of concrete blocks to prevent access, but they were pulled about and people started parking there again.

“We have had so many problems on this site, and local people were just getting fed up with the situation.

“The owners were then warned that we would be taking further action, and we gave them time to remove their vehicles, but some decided not to do so. Some said their vehicles weren’t taxed, but that has nothing to do with us.

“So we have now filled in the gap between the concrete barriers and believe this is far better for the local community.

“If any of the vehicle-owners want to remove their vans they will, of course, be allowed to do so and we will give them access.”

Van owners say eviction is unlawful

The van owners see things rather differently. Pippa, 24, told the IW Observer that she had lived at the site for four years “on and off”. She said: “We received a letter at 5pm on Monday saying the bollards would be installed on Tuesday, but they actually appeared on Wednesday. The police have told us that Mr Thorpe’s actions are illegal and against Section 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Act. They say they have written to him and told him that we must come up with a plan of action that gives him ‘lawful authority’ to move us on. We are just normal people trying to live our lives, we have jobs but we want to live a different life to other people.

“This is all about money, but local people have had access to this land for years. We try to do everything the right way and we love and respect this place. There have been no complaints to the police or the council about us. We work and pay our taxes, we pick up litter that isn’t even ours and look after the property better than the owner.

“We are in limbo now and don’t know what will happen. We have nowhere to go and nobody has shown us any duty of care, but many local people are angry about how we are being treated.” She added that an ambulance was called out on Wednesday evening for somebody that had fallen and injured their leg, and the concrete blocks meant that it had been impossible to get the close to the casualty. “This could affect a child playing on the beach,” she said. “It is a danger to the public.”

MP has received complaints

East Wight MP and Bembridge IW councillor, Joe Robertson, said: “I have sympathy with the Harbour Authority trying to remove people living in vehicles on its land without permission, provided it is done in a lawful way. Some of these vehicles are large and have been parked on the point with people apparently living in them for over a year. I have received a number of complaints from concerned residents raising a number of issues including hygiene.

“I hope that the travellers can be persuaded to leave and the whole beach and car park area can be clear for members of the public to use.”

According to the notice posted last week, any vehicles still occupying the space are now considered trespassing, and owners will be charged removal fees if they wish to leave.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesman said: “The council provides advice and assistance to anyone who finds themselves homeless, or who are threatened with homelessness within 56 days. Advice and assistance can be requested by contacting the council on 01983 823040 or via the council’s website via iw.observer/housing-support.”