Share your views on dog exclusion areas

We introduced a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in 2023 to stop dogs from entering certain areas across Brighton & Hove.

This order expires on 19 October 2026, and we’re asking for your views on whether it should be renewed for another three years (until 19 October 2029) and extended to cover more areas.

What is this PSPO about?

The PSPO means that anyone in charge of a dog must not let it enter or stay in certain areas at specific times.

It’s not about stopping responsible dog ownership. There are many places in Brighton & Hove where dogs are welcome, and we recognises how important dogs are to people’s lives.

Most dog owners act responsibly, but there are ongoing concerns about a small number of dogs and owners.

The aim of the order is to encourage responsible behaviour and balance the needs of dog owners with making sure public spaces are safe and enjoyable for everyone.

The current PSPO covers places like children’s play areas, some parks and gardens, cemeteries, parts of beaches in summer, and areas of Queen’s Park. The proposed update would keep these areas, and also include fenced areas in Blakers Park and parts of Preston Park, such as the cricket pitch and velodrome.

Restricted areas

Children’s play areas (at all times)

All fenced children’s play areas that contain play equipment.

Cemeteries (at all times)

Dogs are not allowed, except for:

• People attending funerals or remembrance services
• People visiting graves
• People who live on the cemetery grounds

In these cases, dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

Cemeteries included:

• Woodvale (Borough) Cemetery, Lewes Road
• Extra Mural Cemetery, Lewes Road
• Borough Cemetery, Bear Road
• Jewish Cemetery, Bear Road
• Meadowview and Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Warren Road
• Hove Cemetery (North and South), Old Shoreham Road
• Portslade Cemetery, Victoria Road

The following parks and gardens (at all times)

• Brunswick Square
• Norfolk Square
• Russell Square
• Bedford Square
• Clarence Square
• Powis Square
• Pelham Square
• Regency Square (North End)
• New Steine Square
• Steine Memorial Gardens
• Kipling Gardens, Rottingdean
• The Rockery Gardens, Preston Road
• William Clarke Park, Picton Street
• Saunders Park (except the fenced dog area in the south-west corner)

Beaches (May to September)

Dogs are not allowed on beaches during this time, except in areas marked as “dog friendly”. Dog-friendly areas include:

• Between Longridge Avenue and the city border
• Between Chailey Avenue and Arundel Drive West, Rottingdean
• Between West Marina Wall and Rottingdean slope
• Between the west wall of Brighton Marina and the Volk’s railway (near New Steine)
• Near the Meeting Place Café (up to the large groyne with a life ring)
• East of the Lawns Café (bottom of St John’s Road, Hove seafront)
• In front of the King Alfred car park
• East of Hove Lagoon

Areas of Queen’s Park (at all times)

• Southern Lawns (including the lake)
• Tennis courts
• Quiet Garden
• Wild Garden
• Cascade area
• Bowling green

Areas of Preston Park (at all times)

• Velodrome
• Cricket pitch

Areas of Blakers Park (at all times)

• The fenced area

Exemptions to the restrictions

The restrictions do not apply to people in charge of assistance dogs, including:

• people who are registered blind
• deaf people with a dog trained by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
• people with disabilities that affect mobility, coordination, or everyday tasks, who rely on a trained assistance dog

This includes dogs trained by the following organisations:

• Dogs for the Disabled
• Support Dogs
• Canine Partners

Failure to comply

If the person in charge of a dog doesn't comply, they may be given a £100 fixed penalty notice, unless:

• they have permission from the landowner or person in charge of the area
• they have a valid reason for not following the rules
• they are covered by one of the exemptions in the order