- The group camped at the picturesque parking lot on the coast earlier this year
- Car park owner Malcolm Thorpe said they were 'mistreating' nearby facilities
- But the travellers have accused Mr Thorpe of 'imprisoning' them with stakes
The owner of a beach car park has been accused of “trapping” a group of travellers by blocking their exit with 90cm-high concrete posts.
Malcolm Thorpe decided to take action after travellers arrived at Bembridge Point on the east coast of the Isle of Wight with their campervans weeks ago.
He told the group they had to pay an undisclosed fee before they could leave because of their “mistreatment” of the area.
Now Mr Thorpe has given travellers an ultimatum: he will move the posts free of charge on 19 August, but travellers must leave that day.
The van owners said they have been coming to the beauty spot for years and are always respectful. They have not yet responded to Mr. Thorpe's offer.
The owner of a beach car park is accused of 'trapping' a group of travellers by blocking their exit with 3-foot-high concrete posts
Owner Malcolm Thorpe has accused the group of 'mistreating' his land and nearby facilities by leaving their rubbish in a public place
In April, residents of Bembridge Point were first asked to move their vans to one half of the car park, as the other half has been designated as a village green.
The posts were placed to separate the two sides.
Bembridge Harbour Authority, which owns the car park and is led by Mr Thorpe, said the blocks were “unlawfully” moved just days later so travellers could park their vans back in their original spots.
Traveller Pippa Amos, 24, disputes this, explaining that the group only turned back when people started parking.
Mr Thorpe did not personally speak to the travellers, but instead texted Ms Amos to pass on information.
On July 22, they received letters stating that the entire parking lot was being closed and that any remaining vehicles would be charged a “removal fee.”
Two days later the posts were placed.
Ms Amos argued that this was not sufficient notice and that they should have been given a formal eviction notice with seven days' notice.
She is allowed to leave because she has work on the mainland, but she actually wants to stay.
'You can't just trap people. We can run away, but these vans are our homes, our lives.
“I wish I didn't have to leave. If I didn't have that chance [on the mainland]I would stay.
“Ultimately it's their choice.”
Mr Thorpe has posted a notice to the travellers giving them an ultimatum to leave by 19th August, at which time he will move the posts or pay an undisclosed fee.
View from Nodes Point on the Isle of Wight of the picturesque setting of Bembridge Harbour, where the dispute took place
Mr Thorpe said the residents of the vans had been given ample notice and the eviction was a result of residents misusing the council-run toilets and leaving their waste on the public highway.
Mr Thorpe said: 'The occupiers continued their old habit of completely destroying the parish toilets and the adjacent private land, as well as leaving their rubbish and waste in public places.'
According to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, it is a civil matter.
Isle of Wight Council explained that they have no jurisdiction as it is private land.
A council spokesman said: 'The council offers advice and support to anyone who has become homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless within 56 days.'