Plans to force dogs to be kept on leads at a popular playing field are set to be scrapped following a huge backlash.
Almost 90% of more than 100 respondents to a consultation said “no” to the order being imposed at The Stadium, off Church Road in Cheriton, Folkestone.
Cabinet members at Folkestone and Hythe District Council will vote on the authority’s new Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) tonight.
In a report prepared ahead of the meeting, council officers say: “Based on the number of responses received, it is recommended that the dog on lead restriction not be introduced at The Stadium.”
In total, 106 respondents (88%) were against the ban at the field and 10 (8%) were for it. Four (3%) were neutral.
It was the largest number of responses to any of the 20 locations, small and large, listed in the district-wide survey.
The Le Quesne field, off North Road on the other side of Taylor Wimpey’s Shorncliffe Heights development, got just eight respondents and all said no. But the council officers only recommend dropping the proposed restrictions at The Stadium.
The sites listed in the new PSPO had been the subject of complaints of dog mess and pets being out of control.
But dog walkers at The Stadium whom KentOnline met as the consultation was launched in May argued it was unfair to penalise responsible owners.
Jade Thompson said: “Not everyone has dogs that are out of control.”
After our story was published, posters with a QR code linking to the consultation were put on bins around The Stadium, which has been a popular dog walking spot for generations.
The six-week consultation, which ended on June 25, was carried out in preparation for updating the district’s current Dog Control PSPO, which expires on July 31.
The PSPO also completely bans the pets in places such as children’s play areas and some beaches.
The survey results also showed 64% (16) against dogs being kept on leads in the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone. However, in Greatstone, 62% (13) were in favour of the proposal.
