Location

Foreness Point is a relatively secluded section of Botany Bay beach on the north coast of Kent, close to the towns of Margate and Broadstairs

Streetmap

Microsoft Virtual Earth

News

18/06/07

Thanet District Council's 'Principal Leisure Officer' has confirmed that they believe naturism is an offence under the Town Police Clauses Act of 1847.

The Council has not revealed how many complaints have been received, nor how they intend to enforce the naturism ban.

The 'no nudity' signs are reported to have been removed, by whom is not known.

History

Botany Bay has a long history of use for naturism.

The 'Free Sun' guide book (6th Edition 1986) reported that it had been the subject of a proposal to create an official naturist beach at the location, but that the plans had been dropped in the face of some local opposition.

In the summer of 2006 it is reported that an incident ocurred in which a female, seeing naked beach users at Foreness Point beach, summoned the Police. On arrival, Police requested that the naturists cover themselves. This action is said to have been repeated on two subsequent days, following which they advised naturists to be careful and took no further action.

Other minor incidents of inappropriate sexual activity are reported to have been dealt with by regular beach users.

In early May 2007 it was reported that at least one sign bearing the logo of Thanet District Council had been erected near the beach. The wording of the notice is quoted as:

"Please be advised that nude sunbathing is not permitted on this beach at any time. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in prosecution."

The Threat

Continued lawful use of this traditional naturist beach is clearly threatened if Thanet District Council are able to carry out their stated intention to prosecute individuals for swimming and sunbathing without clothes at Foreness Point beach.

Correspondence

Local naturists have written to Thanet District Council and the local Police to seek further information.

18/06/07 - Malcolm Boura, BN's Research and Liaison Officer, is now planning to write to Thanet Council's Chief Executive in the hope that this issue will be quickly resolved and the threat to law-abiding naturists removed.

Legal Background

Thanet District Council state that there is no local byelaw prohibiting nudity at Botany Bay. They intend to rely on the Town Police Clauses Act of 1847 to prosecute naturists for "wilfully and indecently" exposing themselves in a public place.

A senior Kent Police officer has said that "genuine naturists" are "highly unlikely" to to guilty of Public Nuisance, Outraging Public Decency or exposure as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. See HERE for more information.

Useful Addresses

Thanet District Council
Cecil Street,
Margate,
Kent, CT9 1XZ
Telephone: 01843-577000
Fax: 01843-290906

Contact Person
Joe McCarthy
Principal Leisure Officer
Leisure, Culture and Tourism
Thanet District Council
Tel no: 01843 577275
Fax no: 01843 577686
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Action

At present, individual naturists are advised to wait for the outcome of enquiries being made by BN, NUFF and local activists.

Any available information about 'incidents' at Botany Bay would be very helpful, please contact NUFF if you have first-hand information.