Dog Walkers Could Get More Space To Explore In Worthing

Thursday, 13 October 2022 12:19

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Worthing Borough Council is considering plans to open up more areas to dog walkers.

Proposals are being examined after a consultation over the summer in which local residents and businesses had their say on the town’s existing public space protection order (PSPO) covering dog control and welfare.

The PSPO designates where dogs are banned and in which areas they are allowed but must be kept on leads.

Worthing’s Joint Strategic Sub-Committee this week supported plans to consider relaxing some restrictions on dog walking.

Under the proposed plans, the gardens at Heene Terrace would become an area where dogs are allowed as long as they are walked on a lead. Currently, the area is a dog exclusion zone.

Dogs would also no longer be banned from being walked in the north east corner of West Park Recreation Ground and the northern boundary of the Goring beach huts.

The Council is also considering formally designating the most northern of Beach House Park’s five bowling greens as an off-lead dog area, as the green is already informally used as a dog exercise area.

The existing PSPO expires in December. It bans dog fouling, sets a limit of six on the number of dogs that can be walked by one person and bans them from recreation areas where dog exclusion orders are on display as well as Highdown Gardens and the gardens at Heene Terrace.

It also says dog owners must keep their pets on a lead on roads, pavements and grass verges as well as in cemeteries, allotments, car parks, and other areas including the pier, Denton Gardens, Beach House Park and Marine Gardens.

Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence for which a fixed penalty notice of £100 can be given.

Cllr Vicki Wells, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

“Worthing is perfectly located for dog lovers, nestled between the beautiful Downs and the shorefront.

“We are trying to strike a balance that means our shared open spaces are effectively managed and can be enjoyed by all residents, including responsible dog owners.”

The proposals will be considered by a meeting of Worthing’s Full Council on October 20.