In recent months, we have been seeking your views on whether we should introduce a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on council-owned land to protect our green spaces, countryside sites and riverside sites against:
- The use of barbeques (BBQs), campfires, bonfires, fire pits and other activities that involve the lighting of fire
- Unauthorised moorings along the river
- Overnight camping along the river
Elmbridge Cabinet considered the results of the consultation and to decide if Elmbridge should establish such a PSPO.
With over 760 responses, residents expressed their views for the PSPO citing the need to protect the environment and our green spaces. Our residents cherish the borough’s green spaces and want to protect them from litter, damage, and anti-social behaviour.
Strong support to banning BBQs and naked flames
With reference to the use of BBQs, there was strong support to banning BBQs (82% strongly agree or agree) and the use of campfires, bonfires, fire pits and other activities that involve the lighting of fire or naked flames on public open space (86% strongly agree or agree).
“I would like to see a total ban on fires, BBQs, fishing and camping etc. to restore the natural environment of the areas and to protect the natural wildlife”, said one resident. Another asked, “please ban fires, barbecues and limit damage to the grass.”
While some residents voiced support for the controlled use of BBQs, “I think bbqs should be allowed in designated places. Perhaps permanent, concrete BBQs could be installed in places were smoke would not cause disruption to local residents but only provided that curfews would be in place.”
Protecting the riverbank: overnight fishing and camping
Through the consultation, residents voiced their support for a PSPO to prevent overnight fishing and camping at Albany Reach and Cigarette Island Open Spaces, agreeing that a Public Space Protection Order is the best way to prevent overnight fishing and camping at Albany Reach and Cigarette Island Open Spaces but also to include Ditton Reach in that order.
“The prevention of overnight fishing/camping is essential to the protection of this green space”, said one respondent. While another felt a ban on overnight fishing was an “over reaction”.
Fishing permits are provided by the Environment Agency, however this PSPO seeks to address the anti-social behaviour associated with overnight fishing in these areas, restricting fishing to daytime only (7am -7pm).
Unauthorised moorings
There was strong support from the consultation results to a Public Space Protection Order to prevent unauthorised moorings on Elmbridge Borough Council-owned land at Ditton Reach, Albany Reach, Cigarette Island, Cowey Sale and Hurst Park and Surrey County Council’s land adjacent to Hampton Court bridge (Parrs mooring), as the best way to protect these open spaces for all and to preserve them (88% strongly agree/agree and also 13% strongly disagree/disagree).
A number of the responses received were supportive of a PSPO to help to manage the riverbank and allow a busy active riverbank. There were also a number of responses concerned about the potential targeting of boaters, and possibly making boat owners homeless.
While a number of the concerns raised in the consultation have already been answered, some aspects require further clarity, and in order to be transparent and to ensure that the statutory conditions for making such an order are met, it is proposed to carry out a second phase of consultation with more detail as to how a potential PSPO for unauthorised moorings would be implemented and enforced.
This will be publicised online, and at relevant sites as well as consulting with the National Bargee and Traveller Association.
What is a Public Space Protection Order?
PSPOs can impose restrictions and requirements that are aimed at behaviours that are considered to be having or likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. Such behaviour has to be persistent or continuing in nature and be unreasonable.
PSPOs can impose blanket restrictions or requirements or can be targeted against certain behaviours by certain groups at certain times. They can restrict access to public spaces (including certain types of highway) where that route is being used to commit anti-social behaviour.
We, as a local council, are responsible for issuing a PSPO and the restrictions or requirements can be enforced by a police officer, a council officer or an enforcement agency working on our behalf.
The proposed PSPO would apply to a long list of council-owned and managed open spaces, recreation grounds, green spaces, countryside and riverside sites which are publicly accessible, including Albany Reach, Ditton Reach. Cowey Sale Open Space and Desborough Island.
Maps of the proposed PSPO locations
The PSPO would last for 3 years and would be renewable upon review for another 3 years to cover the same areas and activities.
Next steps
Based on Cabinet's approval on 5 July, and the call-in period, the PSPOs for naked flames and overnight fishing would be introduced during July 2023. Signage advertising the PSPOs will be made available on our website and will be placed on the land affected.
We will carry out phase 2 of the PSPO consultation related to unauthorised moorings in the next few months.