Portsmouth City Council is launching a public consultation to review and potentially revise the current restrictions on dogs at certain city beaches. The consultation, set to begin on September 20 and run through October 18, will gather resident opinions on proposed changes to the dog exclusion zones.
Current Restrictions
Under the existing public spaces protection order, dogs are banned from specific areas of the beach from April 30 to September 30. These restricted zones include the stretch from Southsea Castle to the Royal Marine Yomper statue and the Hotwalls section of the beach.
Proposed Changes
The council is considering several options for updating the beach dog regulations:
Year-Round Access with Time Restrictions: Allowing dogs on the entire beach throughout the year, but only during designated times within the bathing season, such as early mornings or late evenings.
Reduced Exclusion Zone: Potentially reducing the size of the dog exclusion zone at Eastney beach.
Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping the new regulations. “With the number of dog owners in the city increasing since the last order came into force, it’s important to ask people what they think about the current rules. I hope as many people as possible will take part in the consultation to help us make an informed decision on any changes,” Pitt said.
How to Participate
Residents are encouraged to participate in the online consultation, which will be available on the Portsmouth City Council website starting September 20. The consultation aims to gather a broad range of opinions to ensure that any changes to the dog restrictions reflect the views and needs of the community.
For more information on how to participate, visit the Portsmouth City Council website or contact the council’s consultation team directly.
