Sandbanks in Poole is one of the most expensive property locations in the world…

The tiny dune in Pool recently hit the news as being the fourth most expensive place to buy a property in the World with average property prices at £850 per square foot, more expensive than Tokyo or Paris. A dune. In Dorset.

Putting this in context of global property prices; Prime Central London properties currently average at about £1,300 per-square-foot; in Upper Manhattan, New York £950 per square foot; in Moscow about £900 per square foot, in Sandbanks, Dorset £850 per square foot, in Paris £800 per square foot & in Hong Kong £785 per square foot.

Sandbanks has become popular among celebrities in recent years, including pop star Louise and her footballer husband Jamie Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur's Darren Anderton and former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott. Veteran singer Sir Max Bygraves also lives in the area.

Dedicated to leisure

New York estate agent Corcoran reported the figures in its latest survey of property prices. The most expensive place in the world to live is Shoto in Tokyo's Shibuya district, at £895 per square foot. Next comes Hong Kong's Barker Road, where property goes for £859 per square foot, followed by Eaton Square in London's Belgravia at £775. Sandbanks properties cost £689 per square foot - more expensive than New York's Fifth Avenue at £627.

Tom Doyle, managing director of Sandbanks-based Lloyds Executive and Waterside Properties, said: "It is the most expensive place in the world for an area solely dedicated to leisure. But so big is the demand to own a part of the peninsula that prices have soared in the last five years. Many of the properties are just used a few months of the year, but owners pay for the views, beaches and moorings."