Challenge to Dog Exclusion Zone on Stade Beach
HUGH SULLIVAN
The extent of the dog control public space protection order (PSPO), which has limited the exercising of dogs on beaches, parks and green spaces across the borough since it came into force on 1 April, is being challenged by the town’s dog-owners.
The zone of contention is Stade Beach, also known as Rock-a-Nore Beach, the foreshore east of the harbour arm. A petition started on change.org by local resident Anne Pottle has gathered over 1,500 signatories objecting to the banning of dogs here during the summer months.
She claims that this is a working beach, where fishermen’s dogs are free to roam without restrictions. It is also the only effective exercise area of the Old Town which can be accessed by local dog-walkers without making arduous ascents and descents of the hills on either side.
The petition urges Hastings Borough Council (HBC) to reconsider the terms of the PSPO, allowing dogs access to Stade Beach all year round. “Please sign”, it concludes, “if you believe in a more inclusive Hastings where everyone – including our four-legged friends – can enjoy what our beautiful town has to offer.”
For the moment, at least in theory, anyone who breaches any of the restrictions may be liable for an on-the-spot fine of £100 or prosecution in court.
PREVIOUS CONSULTATION
The prospective terms of the PSPO, insofar as they would affect future beach use, were reviewed by HBC’s charities committee back in January 2023 in its role as trustee of the Foreshore Trust. The committee members, which included then cabinet members John Cannan, Judy Rogers and Andy Batsford, were told that a new order was needed to replace a previous regime which had lapsed in June 2020.
Their attention was drawn to a town-wide public consultation undertaken the previous autumn eliciting 835 responses (described as one of the highest responses to any recent consultation). Of these, 601 “specifically opposed” increased restrictions; another 114 advised they felt the old restrictions – which did not extend to Stade Beach – “seemed correct and fair”; and only 74 approved. But Cllr Rogers argued in the committee meeting that the beach east of the harbour arm was “really being used by families” and should be included in the restrictions. Cllr Batsford, declaring himself as “dog-owner and user of said beach” also spoke in support, and the committee agreed to include it without further discussion.
Two months later, the matter came before the HBC cabinet. Cllr Rogers told her colleagues that the charities committee sought inclusion of “Rock-a-Nore Beach” within the restricted zone. No one objected. The terms were then unanimously agreed to take effect for three years, subject to a review after 12 months. The then council leader Paul Barnett explained at the time that a formal legal procedure for issuing the orders would need to be followed, but he said they would “hopefully” come into effect “by the summer”.
In fact, no order was drawn in 2023, an omission explained last week by a council spokesperson as “due to officer workload and resources, and the need for these to be focused on the council’s financial situation”. The new regulations came into effect only on 1 April this year.
ENFORCEMENT
Asked whether they are now being enforced, the spokesperson said: “We are working on educating people about the restrictions and identifying which areas need additional signage. There have been two fixed penalty notices issued since the restrictions came into force.”
The newly elected council, of somewhat changed political complexion, clearly needs to grapple with the issue again. Leader Julia Hilton was quoted by BBC Radio Sussex earlier this month as saying that she was “pursuing legal advice about holding a [further] public consultation,” which would “have to balance the views of dog owners with the views of people who don’t have dogs and want to enjoy the beach”.
It sounds as if she intends this to happen without waiting for the expiry of the initial 12-month period. However, even if this consultation were to be set in motion promptly, it would, on previous form, be unlikely to come up with any conclusions before the summer season is fully upon us.
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I have visited around 56 countries, worked in around a dozen of them. As I stroll along Hastings beaches I see people walking with dogs, chatting to the dogs? Even answering for the dog? At times, another dog owner will stop in their tracks, and talk to the dog of another owner? Some of them love dogs so much, they bring two, three or four dogs with them and let them run around. Do not worry, ignore the dog restriction notices, it is clear the council does not enforce the rules. It is of no interest to them that local families and our much needed tourists come to our beaches to relax, safely, they often bring toddlers and young children. Anyone reading this, please try to understand, last time you went on a holiday overseas to enjoy the weather, beaches and local culture, as you and your family relaxed on that countries beach, were there dogs running freely around you, barking, defecating, invading your space, sniffing you or your child, barking at each other, sometimes chasing any child who runs etc? Did the locals in those fun holiday destinations bring dogs onto their beaches? The answer is of course, NO, they do not. In many countries they do not even need to be asked to use common sense. Yes, a dog is either a pet or a working animal but one fact dictated by nature is that any dog can instantly switch into negative dangerous behaviour if the right triggers occur, keep in mind a paking running toddler is a known trigger, it is a dogs natural instinct. How many times do we have to hear, I did not think he would bite or suddenly become threatening, he is such a good dog? People can indulge this obsession with being a dog owner without imposing their indulgence on the majority? Hastings council, look at what goes on in the real world, use common sense? You are zoning tourist beaches for use by dogs? Then at least put on duty some staff that actually ensure that dog faeces on our beaches, sea front paths etc is REALLY picked up but keep in mind, dog urine cannot be picked up and can carry serious transmittable infections. It has to be said, those that feel they must own an animal/dog, do that without imposing on the majority.