A 100 year old ferry route to Brownsea Island – the most convenient for Purbeck residents – is to be reinstated after planning permission was granted to rebuild the jetty at Sandbanks in Dorset.
The old wooden jetty was destroyed during storms in 2024, resulting in the ferry service from Sandbanks being suspended, leaving Poole Quay as the only way for members of the public to get to the island located in the middle of Poole Harbour.
The replacement jetty will be to the right of the picture next door to multi million pound Sandbanks properties
New accessible jetty to Brownsea
At a planning meeting of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council on Monday 30th June 2025, it was voted unanimously to give the National Trust planning permission to build a new and improved jetty, which will allow boats to resume its service to the island.
However it has not been without its controversy as there have been objections to the plans from Sandbanks residents due to fears the new ferry operation would create additional noise.
The plans are to replace and provide a new extended fixed jetty landing structure, create a new vehicle access ramp, a fixed walkway and new berthing provisions.
The jetty will have a sloping gradient suitable for wheelchairs and the new visitor shelter will also be accessible.
There will be a new bike store for 20 cycles and storage unit, which will be repositioned next to a new bin store, with reconfigured parking spaces and an electric vehicle charging point. Security gates and barriers will be installed to enclose the site.
The old jetty before it collapsed due to its foundations being washed away in storms
The gap where the old jetty was, has now been closed off
Noise concern objections
However the use of a telehandler vehicle to load heavy items onto a boat was objected to by nearby residents, aware that it would emit a warning alarm when reversing.
Next door neighbours to the jetty, June Tweedy, and her brother Ian Tweedy Smith, who have enjoyed living in their Sandbanks “haven of peace” for 55 years are unhappy about what they see as an intensification in the use of the jetty. Speaking in the council meeting June Tweedy said:
“The proposed development turns the quay into something more like a ship yard or a builder’s yard with a landing craft or ro-ro ferry with a ramp onto a new concrete slipway – which has never been there before.
“We understand there will be vehicles driving on and off the landing craft, deliveries, skips and building materials, on a much larger scale than before, using a telehandler…maneuvering on the quay with all its accompanying warnings and automatic beepings etc.
“The new proposal in our view means we would no longer enjoy our seaside haven as before.”
National Trust said that “magical” Brownsea Island was one of Dorset’s top tourist destinations
“Significant investment”
Speaking for the National Trust, Brownsea Island general manager Paddy Stennings said:
“The proposal represents significant investment in Sandbanks by the National Trust. Facilities will be enhanced to improve self-sufficiency and resilience of Brownsea Island as it faces the future challenge of rising sea levels and increased operating costs, whilst also allowing the ferry service to be reinstated and manual handling risks to be addressed.”
He added that the journey time by boat from Sandbanks to Brownsea Island is only five minutes compared to 25 minutes from Poole Quay and gives visitors an alternative journey route avoiding roads in the centre of Poole.
This is especially true for Purbeck residents who can take the bus, or park in the National Trust Shell Bay car park and travel as foot passengers on the chain ferry to Sandbanks.
Paddy Stennings added:
“A fit for purpose Sandbanks facility will ensure that Brownsea Island’s critical lifeline to the mainland is maintained long into the future, supporting operations and ensuring that the thousands who visit each year, continue to enjoy Brownsea’s magical environment.”
An added complication occured in March 2024 when a large sinkhole appeared near to the old jetty
Earliest date for new ferry service is spring 2026
In the meeting, chaired efficiently by councillor Marion Le Poidevin, councillors asked questions about the noise levels and were told by an environmental health officer that any operational noise of the jetty would be significantly lower than the Sandbanks chain ferry, which is next to the new proposed jetty and is operational between 7 am and 11 pm.
Councillors unanimously granted approval subject to the condition that the jetty should only be used between 7 am and 11 pm, with passenger ferries operating between 10 am and 5 pm, and the telehandler operating 7 am to 8 pm but mainly 10 am to 5 pm.
The council planning meeting had been delayed by several months in order for noise reports to be produced, so the new jetty is now unlikely to be built in time for autumn 2025.
The earliest that a passenger ferry service could be operational is estimated to be spring 2026.
The only current passenger route for 2025 to Brownsea Island is from Poole Quay
Further information
- BCP planning committee for the new jetty
- More about Brownsea Island
