Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Have your say on changes to dog control orders and antisocial drinking orders

Monday, 9 September 2019

A blanket rule requiring dogs to be on leads in any open space with a marked sports pitch could be relaxed, but residents will be consulted before any action is taken.

We believe the current requirement that dogs are kept on a lead in any park with a pitch is too strict. But wants to continue banning them from fenced play and games areas and parts of our country parks. Dogs would also still need to be on a lead in cemeteries, picnic areas and A and B roads as well as their footpaths.

At the same time we will be consulting on antisocial drinking orders. Such orders are not complete public drinking bans but give authorised officers additional powers in designated areas. They can require individuals not to drink alcohol or hand over alcohol in their possession.

Dog control and street drinking orders need to reviewed every three years and the current ones have to be by October 2020.

As well as the possible rule change over dogs, the council is asking for the public’s views over the next twelve weeks on whether the right areas are being covered by antisocial drinking orders.

We are consulting on adding the following areas:

  • Biggleswade - Church Street and High Street
  • Dunstable - High Street North, High Street South, Court Drive skate park, Eleanor’s Cross, Grove Gardens, Priory Gardens, The Square - Ashton Square, Newton Recreation Ground, Mentmore Recreation Ground, Dunstable Cemetery, Luton Recreation Ground, Bennett Memorial Recreation Ground and Priory Churchyard
  • Houghton Regis -Bedford Square and Tithe Farm Road
  • Leighton Buzzard - High Street, Lake Street and Market Square
  • Shefford - High Street and Old Bridge Way
  • Arlesey - Blue Lagoon area
  • Sandy - Bedford Road Recreation Ground, Sunderland Road Recreation Ground,Fallowfield Recreation Ground and the Market Square
  • Beeston - The Green and The Limes

But removing current orders from:

  1. Ampthill
  2. Barton-Le-Clay
  3. Caddington
  4. Flitwick
  5. Hockliffe
  6. Kensworth
  7. Toddington

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services said:

As these orders need to be reviewed every three years, it is an opportunity to find out from residents whether we have identified the right orders in the right locations. Local knowledge is key so if people in a particular area believe there is a problem which the council has not identified, please let us know as we need evidence to make an order.

Have your say on the proposed changes by 5pm, on Monday 2 December 2019.

Have your say