Have your say on East Devon’s Public Spaces Protection Orders for dogs, seagulls and anti-social behaviour

East Devon District Council is proposing to extend its three existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), which it made in May 2017. The PSPOs largely incorporated existing controls relating to dogs.

Each order has a life span of three years, which is due to expire shortly. So the council is proposing to extend the existing orders for a further three years and at the same time take the opportunity to make a few minor variations.

Every Town and Parish Council within East Devon was invited to review the controls in their areas and request amendments. This process was completed in mid-January and the council is now informing the wider community of the requested variations and inviting people to make comments.

The orders being consulted on:

• Require dog owners to pick up after their dogs.
• Ban dogs from some public places, such as some beaches during the summer, and require them to be kept on leads in others.
• Prohibit people feeding seagulls on or near our beaches.
• Restrict certain anti-social behaviour in areas of central Exmouth and Sidmouth.

Local authorities are only permitted to make orders, which are likely to have a detrimental effect on quality of life and which relate to persistent and continuing behaviours.

Cllr Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment, said:

“Dog Control Orders have been in place for many years and these and the Public Spaces Protection Orders which replaced them have helped us to achieve a very high level of responsible dog ownership in East Devon, and also help to ensure that our beaches and promenades are clean and welcoming places for both residents and visitors. We intend to retain these Orders for the next 3 years to ensure that these high standards are maintained.”

The consultation, plus current PSPOs, and proposed amendments can be read in full on the council’s website www.eastdevon.gov.uk/community-engagement/public-space-protection-order-consultation

Please send any comments on the proposals to the Environmental Health Team by email: environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk or by post to Environmental Health, East Devon District Council, Blackdown House, Border Road, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton, EX14 1EJ.

If you need a copy of this consultation sent to you by post, or in large print or in any other format please email: jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk or call 01395 517569. This consultation will run for eight weeks ending on 20 March 2020.