Dog ban could be reintroduced on popular beach

A dog ban could be put in place on a section of Minehead beach

A ban on dogs could be reintroduced at a popular Somerset beach this summer.

Dog walkers have been able to use Minehead beach all year round after a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) expired in 2019.

But Somerset Council is to consider new restrictions during a meeting on 8 May.

It is proposing banning dogs from a section of the beach, from Minehead Golf Club Groyne to the Jubilee café, from May to September.

Dog walkers will still be able to access the beach between the café and the Harbour area during the summer season.

Susan Marie uses Minehead beach to exercise the dogs she looks after

Susan Marie runs Little Paws Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services in Minehead and uses the beach to exercise the dogs.

She said: "The part of the beach they have offered us isn't a great space. It's rocky and is going to be unsafe.

"Why couldn't they give us a bit more of the beach where there is a bit more sand?"

An order bannning dogs from the whole beach lapsed in 2019

PSPOs banning dogs from beaches run for three years before having to be renewed, and are put in place to help keep beaches clean and safe during the busier summer period.

In August 2023, Somerset Council carried out a consultation on the restrictions and had more than 530 responses.

It says the results show residents and visitors to Minehead want the ban reinstated, but there is strong demand for some access to the beach for dogs to enjoy.