Reversal of PSPO that would have protected rare birds

Hi All,

Further to the above,

 Please could you have a look at this information flyer and click on the link to vote for all dogs to be on a lead and answer the following questions:

https://talk.harrow.gov.uk/bentleypriory2024

and:

https://www.harrowncf.org/BP_PSPO_2024.html

Question 9*: The 2023 proposal for Bentley Priory was that dogs would be required to be on a lead at all times throughout all areas of Bentley Priory. The draft document approved by Cabinet in Sept 2023 can be found here. Do you agree or disagree with this proposed requirement for Bentley Priory? Dogs to be on leads at all times in all areas of Bentley Priory ANSWER AGREE

Question 10*: The 2024 proposal for Bentley includes more options: Please look at the map and tell us which ones you agree with.

Dogs should be on leads in Spring Meadow from 1 April to 31 July inclusive (the green shaded area marked no.1 on map) ANSWER DEFINITELY AGREE

Dogs should not enter or remain in the ponds or areas marked in red (red areas no. 2,3,4,5&8 on map) or Summer House Lake buffer (red hatched area no. 7 on map) ANSWER DEFINITELY AGREE

Dogs should be on leads in the area known as "Deer Path Corridor" (the blue hatched area no. 6 on map) ANSWER DEFINITELY AGREE

Question 11*: Are there any other areas where you think dogs should be required to be on a lead in Bentley Priory? ANSWER YES

Question 12*: Please tell us where you think these should be: ANSWER THE GREENSWARD AND FURZE HEATH

Question 13*: Do you have any other comments to make about the proposed dog controls for Bentley Priory ?

It would be useful to point out that Bentley Priory is Harrow's only biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and deserves a higher level of protection than other sites.

If you are a dog owner, you might note if you have witnessed interactions with other dogs that have scared or even injured your dog, so that as a dog walker you would welcome a rule that dogs should be on a leash at all times over the whole area.

If you agree, it might be useful to point out that a simple "dogs are required to be on a lead at all times throughout all areas of Bentley Priory." avoids potential problems of people saying (possibly quite honestly) that they did not know the areas where dogs had to be on leash, or the dates when this was required.

Thank you for helping to preserve Bentley Priory Nature Reserve as a haven for wildlife and nature lovers in this busy, populous borough

 updated bird flyer.pdf

Hi Emma

What a brilliant job you are doing ! I love your flyer and supported guidance for completing the council consultation form. Well done!

Having exactly the same problem here with Canterbury city Council and renewal of the PSPO for Swalecliffe Triple SSSI - a smallish site open to seafront one side and sitting in front of  a large housing estate . Several years of PSPO signs being vandalised and or removed . Vociferous dog owners claiming they will never put their dog on a lead as it's not necessary/ not fair on their dog/ etc.

The Council Scrutiny committee very recently met and were divided about renewing the PSPO.  So no decision was made. Now it goes to the Cabinet for their decision. I can put  a question to the Cabinet according to their rules so plan to do so .

How can anyone think you can protect wildlife on an SSSI without a PSPO and regular robust enforcement? Could be a real Council money-earner round here......

Fiona

Dear Fiona -

Thank you so much for your reply. It is very difficult to get folk to understand the invisible damage that dogs can do.

If anybody else is reading this. please vote now at:

https://talk.harrow.gov.uk/bentleypriory2024

It only takes 1 minute and only 2 questions are mandatory. You can do it anonymously and no account needs to be created.

Thanks again.

On most RSPB reserves no dogs are allowed at all except on public footpaths(the law is different in Scotland)! The only exception are registered guide dogs which are allowed on to RSPB reserves including access in to bird hides. And anyone who has a registered guide dog are legally allowed that in law. Is the reserve you mention owned by the council or by another organisation?

Yes - it is owned by Harrow Council.