Issue details

The report sets out a proposal from Bird Aware Solent regarding an additional dog exclusion zone at Hill Head beach.  The report explains the reasoning behind the proposal and the associated benefit to residents if approved.

In April 2022 the Council’s Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was due to expire and therefore the Council proposed to extend the PSPO for a period of three years.  As part of the process required, a consultation was conducted on a draft PSPO.

Alongside the Executive report, a tabled item detailing a consultation submission from Bird Aware Solent was presented at the meeting.  Bird Aware Solent (BAS) are a partnership of local authorities, including Fareham, working alongside conservation groups to help safeguard the future of internationally protected geese, ducks and wading birds.  Governed by the Partnership for South Hampshire Joint Committee, BAS act on behalf of the local planning authorities.

According to statistics presented by BAS, Hill Head is ranked 3^rd out of 87 sites for the highest number of disturbance events.  Of the 105 site visits where bird disturbance was noted at Hill Head, 86 visits (81.9%) featured disturbance related to a dog’s presence or behaviour.  Disturbance at 80 of these visits (76.2%) could be attributed to dogs that were off the lead.

Reducing the disturbance to birds increases their chance of survival.  Birds are an integral part of the surrounding natural environment and help ensure that the area is vibrant and healthy.  Natural environments are an important aspect of human health and provide benefits both physically and mentally.  The protection of birds would ensure that residents’ health and wellbeing continue to be enhanced by protecting the natural environment.

Taking into account the impact of dogs on birds during the winter season, it is reasonable to propose an additional restriction on dogs between 01 October and 31 March, in the exclusion zone at Hill Head, as identified in Appendix A to the report.