The millionaire residents of exclusive Sandbanks are being stunk out by a foul smell.
The pong is believed to be caused by rotting seaweed left to build up on the shore in a corner of Poole Harbour, Dorset.
The rotten egg-like smell, known as the ‘Sandbanks Stench’, is so bad that wealthy homeowners are being put off from using their balconies.
Locals say the smell gets worse at low tide in hot weather in the summer.
The affected area is also right in front of a new block of flats that sell for up to £4m each.
It is also opposite the Sandbanks Hotel and the smell is strong enough to put off guests, who have mentioned it on TripAdvisor.
But a spokesperson for the Sandbanks Hotel said the smell was perfectly natural and there was nothing they could do about it.
They said: ‘It is blanket-weed and sometimes can create a smell for a short period of time. Unfortunately this is a natural occurrence and not something within our control.
‘The sun beats down on the seaweed and it begins to rot which gives it the sulphuric dioxide smell.
‘I think we’ve become quite accustomed to it. Some days it’s bad, some days it isn’t, but it has got progressively worse in the last five years.
‘This is not a problem from the sea-side on our main beaches.’
Wessex Water have been to the site to inspect sewage pipes in case they were to blame but are understood to have found no fault.
Sandbanks resident Stephen Allen said: ‘I ran past the area everyday and it is noticeable at this time of the year.
‘When we get south westerly winds seaweed and algae gets washed up in that corner. There are metres of it lying there rotting away. It smells.
‘I don’t know what the practical answers are. The authorities are reluctant to do anything these days that disturbs the natural ecology.
‘The smell might be some people off if they are looking at buying a flat in the area but it is really very localised.’
Sandbanks has been one of the most desirable places to live in the UK for more than two decaded and has attracted celebrities like Harry and Sandra Redknapp, Graeme Souness and interior designer Celia Sawyer.
Poole is such a popular spot for staycations, that business owners along with those in nearby Bournemouth and Christchurch, recently voted to introduce the first coastal ‘tourist tax’ in the UK.
The destination famed for their sandy beaches expect the new levy to generate an extra £2.6m per year, which can then be spent on future events and keeping the area clean.
Hoteliers voted in favour of the tax, which will require guests staying in larger hotels in the BCP [Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole] area to pay an extra £2 levy per room, per night.