Pendle News Room

Councillors at the January 20th Policy and Resources Committee gave the Public Spaces Protection Orders the green light and they remain in force along with three new areas.

Existing Orders, in place for three years since 2019, were up for renewal for a further three years.

And a number of new proposals recommended by local town and parish councils, Pendle Borough Council’s Area Committees and officers in the Council’s Environmental Crime Team were also agreed.

The Council decision follows a month long period of public consultation for local people to have their say on the proposals, which ended in December.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Borough Council said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who gave their views on these important issues.

“We are trying to strike a balance between the needs of different groups, including families, people using sports grounds for recreation and dog walkers.

“These Protection Orders are designed to help keep public spaces clean and safe for everyone to enjoy,” he stated.

Tim Horsley, Pendle Borough Council’s Community Protection Co-ordinator said:

“We know that our parks and green spaces are important for dog walkers, so the restrictions on them have been kept to a minimum.

“Dogs are only banned from specific areas such as children’s playgrounds, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), tennis courts, bowling greens and skate parks, to protect people from the problem of dog fouling.” 

Anyone not complying with Protection Orders can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100 or be prosecuted by Pendle Borough Council.

And the Council has now made it an offence to fail to provide a name and address or to give a false name and address when asked by a Council Officer or District Enforcement Officer because they have been seen committing an offence, such as littering.

At the request of Blacko and Higham Parish Councils, Blacko Park and Higham Park have been added to the list of areas where dogs are not allowed.

And Foulridge Parish Council’s proposal not to allow dogs on the cricket ground and that dogs must be on a lead on the playing field was also agreed.

Protection Orders which have been renewed include a ban on dogs at a number of sports grounds in Pendle including the Steven Burke cycle track and BMX pump track and areas like Earby Recreation Ground.

And dogs must continue to be on a lead no longer than 2 metres at most sports pitches and on car parks in Pendle, for the safety of people, dogs and drivers.

Tim Horsley added:

“Dog walkers can be asked to show that they have a way of picking up and properly disposing of their dog's poo.”

Other restrictions in parks include rules on barbecues, a ban on smoking in children's play areas, multi-use games areas, tennis and ball courts and a ban on camp fires and overnight parking.