Public support leads to an update of East Devon dog control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

After receiving support from local stakeholders, councillors at East Devon District Council have approved amendments to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) concerning Allhallows playing fields in Honiton and Kilmington Playing Field in Axminster.

A PSPO is a tool under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which enables councils to deal with a particular nuisance or problem affecting a specified area that is detrimental to residents’ way of life.

The council’s Control of Dogs PSPO was established in 2023 to help support East Devon communities with local enforcement regarding the control of dogs in some public locations.

In respect of the Allhallows site:

The order previously stated there is a dog exclusion requirement at the playing fields.
During the public consultation process, stakeholders (including residents living near the site, Honiton RFC, which leases the Allhallows sports pitches from East Devon District Council, Honiton ward councillors and Honiton Town Council) were asked if they agreed with a proposal to change the dog exclusion area from the playing fields to the sports pitches.
The council received 70 responses; 28 respondents did not agree to changing the dog exclusion area and 42 respondents did agree.
As the proposal was supported by the majority of local respondents, the councillor-approved order now includes a dog exclusion requirement on the sports pitches only.

In respect of the Kilmington site:

An error on the original order needed to be amended to reflect a ‘dog on lead’ requirement at the playing field.
During the public consultation process, stakeholders were asked if they agreed that dogs must be kept on a lead on Kilmington Playing Field.
The council received 257 responses; 79 respondents did not agree that dogs must be kept on a lead and 178 respondents did agree.
As the proposal was supported by a significant majority of local respondents, the corrected order now includes a dog on lead requirement at the playing field.

A fixed penalty notice of £100 is in place for any breaches of this PSPO. For more information, please visit eastdevon.gov.uk/pspo

Councillor Geoff Jung, Portfolio Holder Coast, Country and Environment, East Devon District Council, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on the updates to our dog control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The updates show that we are listening to the community and ensuring East Devon remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. By working together, we can balance the needs of dog owners with those of the wider community, while protecting the leisure facilities so many of us value for our health and well-being."