Fashion designer Stella McCartney is facing a lawsuit filed by Hamptons locals for erecting a 230-foot barrier in front of her coastal home. This imposing wall, constructed from sandbags, is a defensive measure against coastal erosion. However, it has sparked complaints from Hampton neighbors who argue that it impedes their access to the beach. One local long-time resident, Joe Karpinski, expressed his concerns, noting how the obstacle poses a danger and restrictions for him and his young children.
McCartney and her husband reportedly have plans to demolish their existing home and build a more grandiose residence further inland. This controversial sandbag wall stands in the way of a public access pathway that has been a cherished feature of the area for local families for decades.
In response to years of discontent and disputes, the East Hampton Town Board has decided to take legal action. Their attorney, Robert Connelly, has been authorized to commence legal proceedings in Suffolk County Supreme Court against the relevant parties responsible for the sandbag obstruction. The property, acquired for $2.5 million, is at the far end of a private road consisting of only a dozen houses. While long-time families have resided there for years, new arrivals are actively building more significant, extravagant homes that overshadow the existing ones.
Karpinski, an advocate for beach access, voiced cautious optimism regarding the impending court action but pointed out the challenges the locals have faced since the sandbag wall’s construction five years ago. Karpinski recalled the decades of easy beach access he enjoyed and implored McCartney and Willis to “do the right thing” and remove the obstruction.
The controversy also involves the permit for the erosion-control system, which typically allows temporary structures for a maximum of six months with a three-month renewal. The persistent presence of these temporary sandbags has raised concerns about their impact on the environment and surrounding properties. The authority has yet to file the legal paperwork for this case.
In another parallel situation, over 50 objections were filed in Scotland regarding Stella McCartney and her husband’s plans to redevelop a remote coastal site in the Highlands. Residents voiced concerns about the proposed construction of a large, modernist mansion on the site, referred to as Commando Rock. Some are worried about its intrusion on a public right of way, including access to a beach.
The architects behind the project envision a building that complements the landscape with features such as a green roof and grasses native to the location. Despite some supporting the project, it faces significant opposition from residents, fearing it will disrupt the area’s natural beauty. The extent of these disputes highlights McCartney’s challenges in The Hamptons and Scotland.
In The Hamptons, the legal battle rages on as the town takes action to restore the treasured public beach access that the sandbag wall has blocked. While the McCartney family’s presence in this upscale community is well-established, the outcome of this dispute is still being determined. It may impact beach access and coastal property rights in the area.
