Group calls for 'proposals' to be withdrawn that would see dogs put on leads on Warwick green space

A 'Friends' group in Warwick is urging for proposals that would see dogs put on leads in St Mary's Lands to be withdrawn.

A post, which appeared on social media last week and has since been deleted, said that Warwick District Council are looking at proposals to update the dog control orders which would see dogs having to be put on a lead on St Mary's Lands.

Another social media post, which has not been deleted, said the proposals would also affect other areas including Abbey Fields in Kenilworth.

According to the council these proposals are still in the early stages.

A spokesperson from Warwick District Council said: "Warwick District Council is at a very early stage of gaining the views, suggestions and opinions of visitors and key stakeholders regarding dog owners using St Mary’s Lands.

"Once these initial ideas have been collated and presented to councillors, if we gain their approval we will then undertake a full public consultation.

"No decisions will be made until all of these stages have been completed."

Since the news of the proposals spread the Friends of St Mary's Lands Group is now asking councillors to 'withdraw these proposals and the subsequent consultation that has been suggested'.

A spokesperson from the Friends of St Mary's Lands said: "The Friends of St. Mary’s Lands object to the proposals for dogs on leads on St Mary’s lands.

"These are apparently intended to protect nesting birds but the area proposed is 100 metres from the skylark nesting site.

"Despite skylarks nesting until September, Warwick District Council mow the grass there every August and it is noted that cars are regularly allowed to park in this area.

"Why weren’t the recommendations of the WDC Task and Finish Report in 2013 implemented?

"Many of our members are dog-walkers and take strong exception to these draconian proposals."

Similar dog control orders as brought forward in the district in 2011 and Kate Pittel was one of the many who fought the proposals.

She said: "As far as I’m aware, they are proposing dogs on lead restrictions on St Mary’s Land in Warwick, part of Abbey Fields in Kenilworth and in the Horse’s Field (Flying Field) on Newbold Comyn.

"Many of us fought the introduction of these Dog Control Orders back in 2011.

"Dog owners held demonstrations in the town centre, organised photo shoots, attended the council meetings and got a lot of publicity.

"In 2011, they introduced a dogs on leads order on the public footpath that crosses the golf course and a dogs on leads order that covered the playing fields when there were organised sporting events.

"They assured us that the Flying Field at Newbold was the one place that our dogs could always run freely off lead.

"If their argument is now that it is to protect nesting birds, then the whole nature reserve behind Pedley’s Wood is a nesting bird site and cordoned off to the public.

"Also, the part of St Mary’s Land they want to impose restrictions on for the same reason is used for car parking on race days - which kind of defeats the argument of wildlife protection.

"I’d very much like to know the full proposals (as many of us would) and why further restrictions are being proposed at all.

"Has there been a sudden increase in dog-related problems? It wasn’t the case last time and I very much doubt it is this time.

"There are an awful lot of dog owners in this area, and I think the council was surprised by the reaction and passion with which we fought for our rights then.

"I’m surprised they want to even consider further restrictions given the reaction they were faced with last time."