Polarised and emotive views in dog beach ban consultation
Cornwall Council’s community wellbeing scrutiny committee has discussed a recommendation to carry forward existing beach orders for the next three years
Consultations on the future of dog bans on beaches in Cornwall has led to polarised and emotive views, a council meeting has heard.
Cornwall Council’s community wellbeing scrutiny committee has discussed a recommendation to carry forward existing beach orders for the next three years.
The application of seasonal restrictions for dogs on beaches in Cornwall is made via a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The first one was made in April 2017 and was subsequently reviewed and updated in April 2020 and 2023.
A PSPO is made under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 which governs the creation of PSPOs. Local authorities are required to review and renew PSPOs every three years.
Dog wardens, civil parking enforcement officers and authorised officers of town and parish councils patrol beaches to ensure compliance with the regulations issuing fixed penalty notices where appropriate. The meeting heard that it’s a challenge to enforce the PSPOs on all of the council’s beaches.
The current 2023 Dogs on Beaches Order sets out seasonal restrictions for dogs on 46 designated beaches owned by Cornwall Council. They are:
Standard beaches: Dogs are prohibited between 10am and 6pm from July 1 to August 31.
All Blue Flag and most Seaside Award beaches: Restrictions extend from May 15 to September 30, also between 10am and 6pm. The Blue Flag beaches are Carbis Bay, Crooklets, Gyllyngvase, Porthminster, Porthmeor, Polzeath, Summerleaze, Porthtowan, Trevone Bay and Widemouth Bay. Seaside Award beaches include Crackington Haven, Great Western, Perranporth, Porth, Portreath and Sennen.
Wildlife Protection Areas: Three Hayle areas (Carnsew Pool, Copperhouse and Hayle Estuary) have year-round restrictions due to their ecological sensitivity.
All town and parish councils were consulted last July with the public asked for their opinion between October and December. Responses showed a downward trend, decreasing by 38% on the 2022 survey.
The meeting heard that 3,899 dog owners responded compared to 2,635 non dog owners. The consultation showed polarised opinions but overall it was believed the restrictions balanced the needs of both camps.
Stakeholders were generally satisfied with the current arrangements. Perranzabuloe Parish Council, which includes Perranporth beach in its area, requested a dogs on leads restriction, which will be considered when the Dogs on Leads PSO is renewed this year.
Grade Ruan Parish Council requested a year-round restriction with no dogs on Cadgwith Cove fishing beach to support hygiene concerns. The meeting heard that wasn’t of particular concern among Cornwall Council officers and the public consultation didn’t demonstrate any interest in it taking place.
A committee report said: “The consultation feedback indicates that people generally agree with the need for restrictions. However, dog owners look for these to be decreased while non-dog owners want increased restrictions. It remains an emotive subject which invokes strong opinions for both dog owners and non-dog owners. It appears that the current restrictions have found a middle ground.”
Seventy two per cent of respondents agree in principle that restricting access to dogs on beaches at certain times of the year and day is a good thing. Among respondents who do not own a dog 94% agree, while among dog owners 58% agree and 36% disagree.
Forty eight per cent of respondents agree the current restrictions provide the right balance to enable both dog owners and people who do not own a dog to enjoy the beach – 47% disagree. Among dog owners, 51% agreed with 48% disagreeing while amongst respondents who do not own a dog 44% agreed and 53% disagreed.
Committee vice-chair Cllr James Mustoe said the council hadn’t heard of any major concerns during this round of consultations. “It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie,” he joked.
Following the consultations, the recommendation to the committee at last Thursday’s meeting was that the current restrictions are renewed for a further three years.
Members voted unanimously to keep things as they are. Cllr Thalia Marrington, the cabinet member for community safety and public health, will be asked to approve.
The Dogs Trust estimates that there are roughly 178,000 dog owners in Cornwall, which is approximately 31% of the adult population. Estimates suggest that around a million dogs visit Cornwall yearly.