Public consultation to open on beach dog controls

Hastings Borough Council is reviewing dog controls at Stade beach and Rock-a-Nore beach

A public consultation on whether dogs will be allowed on beaches in an East Sussex coastal town will open on Monday.

Hastings Borough Council is reviewing dog controls at Stade beach and Rock-a-Nore beach.

No changes are proposed to the dog controls at other beaches or in the parks and open spaces across town.

The current controls are legally binding so have to remain in place and will be enforced until any review has been completed.

The consultation will close on 1 September

The council has set out three options for people to vote for:

• Current dog controls– Keep the dog exclusion areas as they are; no dogs allowed on the Stade beach or Rock-a-Nore beach from 1 April-30 September.

• Option 1 – Remove the dog exclusion zone on Stade beach to allow dogs all year round. Keep the dog exclusion zone from 1 April-30 September on Rock-a-Nore.

• Option 2 – Remove the exclusion zone on both beaches so dogs are allowed at all times.

Glenn Haffenden, lead councillor for housing and community wellbeing, appealed for people to complete the survey whether they are dog owners or not.

He said: "We want to hear from as many people that use the beach as possible, and we will have a look at the responses to see whether changes are needed.”

The consultation will close on 1 September and the results will be discussed at a later cabinet meeting.