A MAN who was living in an old ambulance at a Weymouth beauty spot car park says he has been forced 'back on the streets' after he was removed from the site and his home taken away.

Gary Jones had been living out of a vehicle, which was pitched up in the car park at Sandsfoot Beach at the bottom of Old Castle Road, for almost two years.

The car park is owned by the adjoining Castle Cove Sailing Club (CCSC), which took fresh legal action to remove Mr Jones from the small but popular beach overlooking Portland Harbour. The club had previously issued him with a notice to quit in January 2021.

On Thursday, CCSC closed its car park and secured it with large concrete blocks while police attended the site, and using powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, removed Mr Jones and his ambulance.

Mr Jones had wanted to challenge the sailing club and wished to take the matter to court.

He said: "I have nothing anymore.

"What they’ve done is made someone who was getting well and trying to recover, and made them properly homeless, with no way of getting their home back - that’s their idea of help.

"I wasn’t given any notice. I had an hour to move from when they turned up."

Mr Jones said the ambulance, which he bought with his late mother's inheritance, had been towed to a garage where he is being charged £120 plus £20 for every day that it's there.

After Mr Jones left the site, with his dog Anubis, he was able to stay overnight at a friend's house but is unable to stay there any longer and said he would be 'back on the streets' as a result.

He said he was the only van at the site when he was removed but that a few other vehicles had been there for long periods of time over the summer.

Mr Jones said he has been homeless for several years and that his ambulance vehicle had broken down at Sandsfoot. He said the area was good for his mental health and recovery as he had a strong support network there.

CCSC Commodore, David Brock, said: "Since purchasing the site in 2002, the sailing club has made every effort to enable public access.

"A small car park has been made available for free public use during the day however, overnight parking is strictly prohibited.

"Unfortunately, a small number of people have been occupying the car park for long term camping to the detriment of the land and the local community. Regrettably, CCSC has been forced to take action. CCSC has worked closely with the local authorities to ensure that the campers are moved on through appropriate action which is considerate of the welfare of all stakeholders and in the interests of the general public.

"The car park will now be temporarily closed for the rest of the summer to allow refurbishment and the development of measures to prevent further overnight camping."

In a statement to club members, Mr Brock thanked the police and Dorset Council for completing their task in a “calm, professional and efficient manner” with consideration for the welfare of those camping there and the general public.

“CCSC is a long-term supporter of the local community and plans to re-open the car park to the general public as soon as possible. In the meantime, the public are asked not to park on the private land at the end of Old Castle Road, or take vehicles onto the beach,” said Mr Brock.

On Thursday, a spokesman for Weymouth & Portland Police said: "Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team have used powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to remove a trespasser from land in the area of Sandsfoot beach.

"We would like to thank members of the public and residents for reporting their concerns to Dorset Council and Dorset Police, and for their patience whilst we addressed the matter."

A spokesman for Dorset Council said that the council, with Dorset Police, offered advice and guidance as it does for any landowner who asks for it when they have an illegal encampment.