Only Three Public Space Protection Orders Fines Issued in Eden since November as council plans tougher dog control rules

Nine months after Westmorland and Furness Council introduced wide-ranging Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), enforcement figures show that only three fines have been issued across the whole of Eden.

The PSPOs, which came into effect in November 2024, were designed to tackle issues from dog fouling and anti-social behaviour to alcohol consumption in public places, fires, barbecues, vehicles and unauthorised structures on council land including verges and laybys. But since then, the council has confirmed that every single penalty has related to dog fouling – with one £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued in December, one in January and one in June. All three were paid, and no prosecutions followed.

No fines have been issued in Penrith or anywhere else in Eden for alcohol offences, anti-social behaviour, fires, barbecues, vehicles or structures.

Despite the low number of fixed penalty notices issued, the council is now consulting on extending the scope of the PSPOs, including a restriction for dog owners that would ban walking dogs off-lead within 200 metres of any road with a speed limit of 40mph or less. This would cover not only pavements and verges but also fields, footpaths and woodland edges – applying to most publicly accessible land in the former Eden District Council area. Breaches could result in a £100 FPN or a fine of up to £1,000.

Coronation Gardens, Portland Place, Penrith, is also proposed to become a dog exclusion zone where dogs would not be permitted at all.

Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said the council wanted residents to help shape the changes:

 “We are committed to working with partners to balance public access and enjoyment with the need to protect our natural environment and ensure respectful behaviour. Amending the PSPOs is one way we can support that, and we are now asking our communities to help shape those changes.”

Residents can give feedback on the consultation until Tuesday 9th September by completing the Westmorland and Furness Public Space Protection Order online survey or by collecting a paper copy from the reception at Voreda House in Penrith.