Reigate & Banstead Seeks Your Views on Dog Walking Rules
Your Local Parks Need Your Input—Here’s What’s Happening
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is calling on residents to weigh in on how dog walkers should behave across our shared public spaces. If you’ve ever enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in one of our local parks—whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or your own four-legged companions—this consultation directly affects you.
The council has introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for dog walkers that have been in place for six years. These rules, which were last reviewed in 2023, outline expectations for controlling dogs and apply to parks, commons, play areas, and sports facilities throughout the borough. Now, as communities across the area from Guildford through to Dorking continue to grow, the council is reassessing whether these measures still work or need updating.
The consultation opened on 17 August and welcomes feedback from anyone who uses our public spaces—whether you’re a dog owner, a parent using play facilities, or simply someone who values our green spaces. Councillor Hannah Avery, the council’s executive member for neighbourhood services, emphasises that getting this balance right matters: “It’s important that we balance the needs of everyone who relies on our public spaces so we can all enjoy them safely.”
What These Rules Actually Mean for Dog Owners and Residents
If you’re wondering what these protection orders actually do, they’re essentially the council and police’s tools for enforcing responsible dog walking behaviour. When someone breaches these orders—whether that’s failing to keep a dog under control or not cleaning up after their pet—the authorities can issue fixed penalty notices. It’s designed to protect everyone sharing our spaces.
The specific requirements outline how dog walkers should control their animals and establish that certain areas, particularly children’s play spaces and sports facilities, have stricter rules. These measures have been shaped by feedback from residents over six years, reflecting what our community actually needs.
Here’s what’s new: the council is also considering three additional play areas that currently aren’t covered by these protections. If you use those spaces or live nearby, your views matter. Councillor Avery puts it plainly: “If you visit any of these areas, with or without a dog, we’d like to hear your views on our dog controls.” Whether you think the current rules are working brilliantly, need tightening, or should change entirely, the council wants to hear from you. This is genuine community consultation—the kind where resident feedback shapes local policy.
How to Have Your Say and What Comes Next
Getting involved is straightforward. The consultation is open now, and the council is actively seeking responses from anyone with a stake in public spaces across Reigate and Banstead. Whether you’re a regular dog walker, parent, community group member, or just someone who values accessible green spaces, your perspective counts.
When you provide feedback, consider what you’ve actually observed in our parks and shared spaces. Have the current rules made a real difference? Are there specific areas where you’ve had concerns? What would make these spaces work better for everyone? This kind of detailed, local knowledge helps shape better policy.
The council will use this feedback to decide whether to continue, modify, or stop the existing orders, plus determine whether those three new play areas genuinely need protection orders. This consultation represents the kind of community-led decision-making that keeps our neighbourhoods functioning well for everyone—whether you’re walking your dog in Horsley, enjoying Dorking’s green spaces, or anywhere else in the borough.
Keep an eye out for the council’s next announcements about consultation findings. Local decisions made now directly affect how we all share public space for years to come. Have your voice heard while you can.
Source: Reigate council seeks views on measures for dog walkers’ behaviour
