QUESTIONS have been raised over the removal of a facility for barbecues at Sandbanks beach.

BCP Council took the decision to take away the stands from a dedicated area of the popular seafront this year.

In past summers, the space allowed beachgoers an area to use coals or their own bucket barbecues away from busier areas.

The local authority said the area became a “hot spot” for anti-social behaviour last year.

Poole Town ward representative Cllr L-J Evans said she was surprised to discover that the facilities had been removed.

The Poole People councillor said it appeared the decision had been made to “appease Sandbanks residents”.

She said she asked ward councillors about the removal and was told it had been due to “significant complaints from nearby residents” around disruption caused from the barbecue area.

“I am just absolutely puzzled why it has happened and why none of us knew about it ,” said Cllr Evans. “It seems to have been without any discussion with councillors from outside the ward.

“I went down there to meet with friends with my bucket barbecue and we were left saying ‘where are the barbecue stands’.

“I was surprised they had been removed, especially when at the same time you have all tthe money spent on the electric barbecues on other beaches.

“We now have fewer facilities there than we had last year.”

Councillor Evans added: “I am worried because it is going to promote using more disposable barbecues. We seem to be going backwards rather than forwards at the moment.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said:“During the area of summer 2020, it unfortunately became a hot spot for anti-social behaviour and attracted significant levels of complaints from residents due to noise late at night and the abundance of litter.

“Perhaps more significantly, the fencing around the dunes and the dunes themselves were damaged to the point they had to be removed prior to the summer season.

“To take action and prevent a repeat, we have removed the metal stand. We are trialling the electric BBQs along the seafront, which will remove the fire risk and has introduced more limits to when people can congregate around them, therefore preventing noise pollution during late hours.”

The situation at Sandbanks comes to light weeks after BCP Council unveiled its new electric barbecues.

An initial rollout of 10 barbecues is under way Branksome Chine, Fisherman’s Walk and east of Bournemouth Pier at a cost of more than £100,000.

As reported, the electric barbecues at Branksome Chine had to be fenced off earlier this month after an issue arose over staffing and cleaning the cooking stations.