Residents along a popular stretch of UK coastline are being asked whether the council should expand its beach ban rules which come into effect every year, from May to September
A popular stretch of UK coastline could expand a little-known beach rule that will soon come into place. Several North Yorkshire beaches have a season dog ban, from May to September, which prohibits owners from walking their furry friends on the sand. Those found breaching the strict ban face fines of up to £75.
Dogs must also be kept on a lead at all times at more than 50 sites across the three towns of Scarborough, Filey and Whitby. Again, anyone flouting the rules will be subject to a costly penalty.
North Yorkshire council says these rules are in place to help ‘ensure everyone can enjoy the open spaces and beaches’ in the region, as well as to ‘help protect wildlife’. It has opened a consultation asking residents whether or not the ban should remain, or whether more beaches should be included in the rules.
Such consultation is standard for councils seeking to renew a public spaces protection order (PSPO) and follows feedback gathered from a previous consultation in 2023. The council has said it has identified areas that ‘need to be reviewed’ including potentially removing dog restrictions from Oliver’s Mount playing fields in Scarborough, as well as Tate Hill Beach in Whitby.
The consultation asks residents whether they agree with the current £75 penalty for dogs being exercised off a lead in an area with restrictions or in a banned area – stating this is lower than the £100 maximum fine limit. “Do you agree with this penalty amount?” the form asks, allowing members of the public to support either a decrease or increase in the hefty penalty.
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It also probes whether residents agree with current seasonal dog bans on certain beaches, including Filey Beach, Scarborough’s North Bay Beach, and parts of Whitby Beach. Residents are given a range of multiple choice answers, including whether the restricted areas should be expanded or reduced – as well as whether the ban’s duration is ‘too short’ or ‘too long’.
“We want to ensure that everybody can enjoy our picturesque beaches in a safe and clean environment,” Councillor Greg White, executive member for the environment said in a statement. “The rules are there so we can maintain our coast without compromising on safety or cleanliness.” North Yorkshire Council did not wish to provide further comment when asked whether 2023 feedback hinted at locals favouring an expanded ban.
The public consultation closes on Monday, March 17.
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