Local residents and beachgoers in Sussex continue to dispute access to a sandy cove that is described as being owned by a French company. According to reporting, the effort to reopen or secure public access faces a setback after people previously broke through gates to reach the beach for the first time in roughly 18 years. In response, the company is said to have sealed the gates shut by welding them and fitted new locks, preventing further entry through the same access points. The accounts describe an ongoing confrontation over who controls access to the beach and how entry is handled. While the reports focus on the physical steps taken by the company—welding the gate and installing new locks—they also indicate that locals see the cove as an area they should be able to access. No additional details are provided in the supplied text about official legal decisions, the company’s stated position beyond securing the gates, or whether any authorities are involved. The situation remains centered on access to the beach and the measures taken by the property holder following attempted entry.