Fed-up residents say a stretch of scenic seafront is at risk of becoming a “squatter camp” if something is not done to stop campervan owners from setting up there for weeks at a time.

The Shingle Bank on the border of Sheerness and Minster is a popular spot for visitors to Sheppey.

But locals say people are practically living there and committing anti-social acts such as urinating in public.

However, one man who parks there tells a different story saying fellow visitors are doing no harm and are contributing to the local community.

Currently there are no charges for people to park at the site but vehicles are not allowed to stay overnight.

Resident Tracie Jackson, who lives in Marine Parade, said people using the car park “should have to pay”.

She points to the previously free Ship on Shore car park, just under 500 metres away which introduced charges in March.

Councillors hoped the rates would stop campervans and caravans being “dumped” there for long periods of the year.

But Mrs Jackson, who has lived in the area for four years, says these vehicles have simply moved to the Shingle Bank.

She said: “We have to pay and we are not getting anything back from it.

“They introduced charges across the road and now they have all moved up there and aren’t paying a penny.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said if people continue to live there for “weeks at a time” it will become a “squatter camp”.

The 80-year-old added: “We have to pay for the amenity, which is one of the only nice things we have in the area, and I feel like I can’t use it.

“There are caravans parked there for weeks at a time and they are not paying their way in society. It is taking the mickey out of us who do pay our rates.

“It is also unhygienic as I doubt many of those camping there are using the facilities at Barton Point. You can see them urinating on the beach.”

But Island resident of 36-years Jim Smart says this line of thinking is “ignorant” and most people who park there put money into the local economy.

The 67-year-old lives in Sheerness but drives to the car park in his Fiat Cab to play on his keyboard by the sea and get “away from everything”.

He does admit that some people do abuse the beach with vehicles being parked there for long periods of time, but says most people do follow the rules and do not park overnight.

He added: “People seem to think we are getting away with something here and not paying our way.

“I have a house here and pay my rates and there’s a few people who park here who are in the exact same situation.

“There’s a woman who lives a quarter of a mile away and spends the whole day here for her mental health.

“Charges would affect the local tourism, as a lot of people go down the pub or to a local cafe when they park here.

“The trouble is there are no facilities here to pay for. If you go to Spain, Portugal or France you can park for free or pay a fiver to stay and you have facilities.

“People don’t mind paying if there are toilets, somewhere to get rid of your wastewater and cleaning water.”

Other residents say they have “no problem” with people parking on the beach, although not for weeks on end.

Pauline Bray, who has lived in Marine Parade, for eight years, said: “Sometimes people do use the beach to live there which I do understand people’s problem with.

“But all the time I have lived here it has never been an issue.”

Swale council, which manages the Environment Agency-owned site, says it has received complaints from residents and the introduction of parking fees to dissuade overnight use is being “investigated”.

He said: “We want locals and visitors to be able to use the location to access, and enjoy, our beautiful seafront, but we know the campervans who park for long periods can make this difficult.

“The council have trialled several methods to reduce the number of people misusing the space.

“A width restriction was introduced, which allows cars and medium-sized vehicles to enter but stops larger motorhomes from gaining access to the site, which has seen a reduction in their numbers.

“Another option that is being investigated is introducing overnight charges, allowing people to enjoy the beach during the day, whilst dissuading overnight use.

“We will be working with the local community to find a way to allow people to best utilise this much-loved and well-used portion of our coast.”