Sandbanks is known for its golden sand beaches, celebrity residents and its many luxurious beachfront homes. But some in a nearby village are now fearing that their peaceful community is at risk of transforming into a similar “millionaire’s playground”. As property prices soar and modern, high-end homes replace traditional cottages, some locals worry that their village will lose its charm and become just another version of the luxurious and exclusive Sandbanks, The Telegraph reported.
Once a quiet haven on the Isle of Purbeck, Studland locals now fear that its peaceful charm is under threat. Long celebrated for its natural beauty, from its four sandy beaches and crystal-clear bay and iconic white cliffs to its cosy pubs like the Bankes Arms and idyllic thatched cottages, it seems that its popularity is leading to changes that locals are becoming increasingly concerned by. Cheryl Thake told The Telegraph: “Studland is the new Sandbanks, without doubt. The money is coming over here now.
“And it won’t be long before we are just like them. I think this will be the new Sandbanks, eventually.”
Those fears have been heightened recently when millionaire Justin Priestley submitted plans to demolish his £2.2 million home on Agglestone Road in the village and replace it with a bold, modern, three-storey property with a modern style glass-fronted design.
This has drawn sharp criticism from some of the local neighbours who have said it’s out of character with the village’s charm and natural surroundings, overshadow nearby homes, generate light pollution and disturb protected heathland.
Alison Ferguson, 85, who lives six doors down, told Bournemouth Echo: “They say there’s no more room in Sandbanks so they are all trying to move over here to Studland. It is changing the character of the area and not in a good way. Now this road is mostly second homes and AirBnBs.
“That home will be completely out of character with the area. This is Studland and they are trying to turn it into Sandbanks.”
According to the Dorset council figures from 2022, there were about 2,000 second homes in Purbeck, including Swanage, which amounts to about 35% of the second homes in Dorset.
The data from November 2022, revealed that Swanage alone had 1,032 properties designated as second homes, with around another 1,000 spread across the rest of Purbeck including the villages of Studland, Corfe Castle, Church Knowle, Lulworth, Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers, and Wool, Swanage News reported.
Starting from April 1, a 100% council tax premium has now been applied to second homes in the Dorset Council area, effectively doubling the standard council tax rate for these types of properties.
Nick Boulter, chairman of the parish council, even claimed that 50% of the village’s homes were now second homes.
The average house price in Studland is currently £660,000, according to Rightmove.
