PARKS, play areas and sports grounds in West Craven and across Pendle have a range of new and renewed protection orders.

Renewals of existing orders, which are designed to protect park users from dog fouling, amongst other potential issues, such as irresponsible barbecuing, have been agreed by Pendle Council for another three years, in addition to some new orders, including a ban on dogs at Foulridge cricket ground, and on leads at the village playing field.

The council has also made it an offence to fail to provide a name and address, or give false details if asked to do so by a council officer, or district enforcement officer.

Updates of public space protection orders, by the council's policy and resources committee, follows a number of recommendations by town and parish councils, and area committees and also a month long public consultation.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, council leader said: “We are trying to strike a balance between the needs of different groups, including families, people using sports grounds for recreation and dog walkers.

“These protection orders are designed to help keep public spaces clean and safe for everyone to enjoy."

Tim Horsley, the council's community protection co-ordinator said: “We know that our parks and green spaces are important for dog walkers, so the restrictions on them have been kept to a minimum.

“Dogs are only banned from specific areas such as children’s playgrounds, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), tennis courts, bowling greens and skate parks, to protect people from the problem of dog fouling.”

Anyone not complying with protection orders can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £100 or be prosecuted by the council.

In addition, it is now an offence to fail to provide a name and address or to give a false name and address when asked by a council officer or district enforcement officer following the committing of an alleged offence.

Protection orders which have been renewed include a ban on dogs at a number of sports grounds in Pendle including Earby recreation ground.

Dogs must continue to be on a lead no longer than two metres at most sports pitches and on car parks in Pendle, for the safety of people, dogs and drivers.

Mr Horsley added: “Dog walkers can be asked to show that they have a way of picking up and properly disposing of their dog's poo.”

Other restrictions in parks include rules on barbecues, a ban on smoking in children's play areas, multi-use games areas, tennis and ball courts and a ban on camp fires and overnight parking.

All authorised officers who can issue Fixed Penalty Notices to anyone not sticking to the Public Spaces Protection Orders are trained in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its codes of practice, and also in line with GDPR requirements.