Professional dog walkers to pay new licensing fee

The new scheme is due to take effect on 1 April

A new licensing scheme will see professional dog walkers pay £360 a year to use several Surrey beauty spots.

Banstead Common Conservators (BCC), which manages Banstead Commons, said the scheme aimed to "regulate the number of dogs walked commercially on its sites" and to "ensure the safety of everyone who uses the land" .

The land, which covers 1,350 acres and is owned by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, includes Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath.

Emma, a self-employed dog walker, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), she believed there was a "disdain" for the profession and accused BCC of being "heavy-handed".

"They are refusing to supply the legal standing for the scheme. I just don't know what else to do," she added.

The land managers say they are using their powers under paragraph 18 of the Metropolitan Commons Banstead (Supplemental) Act 1893 act to restrict commercial activity.

A dog walker, who asked not to be named, told the LDRS professional dog walkers had been "left in the dark" and there had been "no dialogue" with the managers implementing a scheme.

A BCC spokesperson said: "All of our engagement with any user of Banstead Commons is done with respect and in accordance with our statutory duties."

The BCC added they responded to all inquiries and had hosted three informal meetings about the licensing scheme.

The spokesperson added they received "positive feedback" about the new measure.

Currently, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is running a pilot commercial dog licensing scheme on Nonsuch Park. The licensing fee costs £200 a year with a limit of six dogs.

The new scheme for Banstead Commons is due to take effect on 1 April.