closing date for Telscombe Tye PSPO Lewes & Eastbourne COUNCIL Survey

Consultation on Telscombe Tye Public Spaces Protection Order - Closing date for survey. 

• Please note: the closing date for this consultation is Friday 23 November 2018 at 5pm

From Lewes & Eastbourne Council website...
 
Lewes District Council is consulting over options for a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) on Telscombe Tye. The purpose of a PSPO would be to protect the lambs and ewes that graze on the Tye from being scared, injured or killed by dogs.

PSPOs can be put in place by councils to deal with issues that have a detrimental and persistent effect on the quality of life of residents in the area. Loss of ewes and lambs can have a major financial and emotional effect on the local community.

The cost of replacing livestock is borne by the Town Council but ultimately from public funds. The sight of a dog attack, at the time of the incident and its aftermath, can be very distressing for all involved. 

The options are set out below and further information is available in the consultation information pack which is available to download below.

What options are being proposed?

Following discussions with the Kennel Club and other local groups, we are putting forward three proposed options for comment. We are inviting feedback from local residents, groups, organisations and other stakeholders.

Option 1  - Year round but only in the vicinity of sheep

• A person is guilty of an offence if at any time, and without lawful excuse, he or she takes onto, or allows to enter or remain on, Telscombe Tye any dog which is not on a short lead and which is in the vicinity of sheep.

For the purposes of this Order, “short lead” means a lead of fixed length and of not more than two metres.


​Option 2 - Year round

• I. Subject to paragraph II, a person is guilty of an offence if at any time, and without lawful excuse, he or she takes onto, or allows to enter or remain on, Telscombe Tye any dog and fails to keep the dog on a short lead.
• II. A person is not guilty of the offence in paragraph I so long as he or she keeps the dog in sight at all times AND prevents it from approaching sheep. 
• III. A person may not rely on the exception permitted under paragraph II where an authorised officer reasonably requests the person to place the dog on a lead. 

For the purpose of this Order, “short lead” means a lead of fixed length and of not more than two metres and “authorised officer” means an officer authorised by Lewes District Council. 


Option 3 – More lenient dog control

• Any of the options above but replacing “on a short lead” with “on a lead or otherwise under close control” – to mirror the wording of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.  This would permit dog walkers to use an extendable lead, or no lead so long as the dog was under “close control”.

How to have your say

We have provided an online survey to structure your feedback. 
Online survey

Paper versions of this survey are available from the Telscombe Town Hall reception area. 

You can also request a paper copy of this information to be posted to you, or request it in a different format or language by emailing from bpp@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

If you would like to send comments in addition to, or instead of via the online survey, please email using the address above.

Alternatively you can write to us at the following address: PSPO Consultation, Business Planning and Performance, Lewes District Council, Southover House, Southover Road, Lewes, BN7 1AB.