Proposals to make big changes to where dogs are allowed to go around Rye could see them banned from many local public spaces. Dogs could be also barred from almost all of Camber Sands during the summer months because of increased kite surfing. Rother District Council has opened a consultation on several plans which include banning dogs totally from Rye’s Gun Garden and restricting them to just the footpath through Rye Cemetery. In better news for dog owners, the proposals also include lifting all restrictions at Pett and Winchelsea beaches. The consultation runs until the end of July this year.
At Camber, the council says safety concerns about kite surfing have resulted in RDC asking for opinions on banning dogs from a much larger part of the beach during the summer. One proposal could see dogs restricted to just the section of sand next to the harbour entrance, and banned totally from Broomhill Sands from May to September. The other proposal would allow dogs near the harbour entrance and the section of Broomhill to the east of the car park. Keeping the current restrictions, or relaxing them further, are not in the proposals. A Rother District Council spokesperson said: “There has been an increase in recreational activities such as kite surfing in this area of the beach, and the proposals are to help ensure the safety of dog walkers and their dogs on Broomhill Sands.”
At Pett and Winchelsea beaches the current summer bans on parts of each beach could be lifted. The proposals under consultation here are to have no restrictions for dog owners.
Across the district, Rother wants to ban dogs from sport and recreational facilities that are available in public open spaces, such as tennis courts, cricket, football and hockey pitches, gym equipment areas, BMX and skateboard areas in. Kathryn Field, cabinet member for environmental, licensing, community safety and climate strategy at Rother District Council, said: “We know that while the majority of dog owners are responsible, keeping their dogs under control and cleaning up after them, unfortunately a small minority do not."
In Rye, there could be a total ban in the Gun Garden or to allow dogs but on short leads. In Rye Cemetery, which has seen controversial fines being issued to dog owners in recent months, there are also two proposals: either a total ban apart from on the right of way footpath or to allow dogs inside the cemetery but on short leads.
A spokesperson for Rother District Council told Rye News: “The council is consulting on dog control in order to update the public space protection order, which must be renewed by law every three years. Dogs will still be permitted on Camber beach at certain times and in specific areas, depending on the outcome of the consultation. It is also proposed that the current dog control restrictions for Pett and Winchelsea beaches are changed to allow dogs on these beaches with no restrictions. The issue of enforcement has not been a factor in the changes being consulted on.”
You can find more about the plans and a link to the consultation here https://www.rother.gov.uk/consultations/dog-control-in-2023/
