Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced on 27 July 2016 following consultation with citizens and stakeholders regarding adopting new dog control measure relating to:
- dog fouling
- excluding dogs from certain areas
- requiring dogs to be on leads in certain areas
- encouraging responsible dog ownership
A report was taken to the Council’s Executive on 15 June 2016 and the proposed PSPO approved. Read the report including the consultation responses received.
The PSPO was extended in 2019, 2022 and again for a further three years from 27 July 2025 with additional locations added.
See the new locations in the 2025 order here.
The PSPO covers four key offences
- The Dogs Exclusion Order: The effect of the Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to permit the dog to enter or remain on any land to which this Order applies.
- The Dogs On Leads Order: The effect of the Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to ensure that a dog is kept on a lead on any land to which the Order applies.
- The Dogs On Leads by Direction Order: The effect of the Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to put that dog on a lead under the direction of an authorised officer on any land to which the Order applies.
- The Fouling of Land by Dogs Order: The effect of this Order is to make it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to remove faeces forthwith from any land to which the Order applies.
Failure to comply
Failing to comply with a PSPO is an offence which carries a maximum penalty upon conviction of a fine not exceeding £1,000. Offences may also be dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice.
Signage to look for
The PSPO dog control signs can be found in many locations around the borough, especially frequently used public spaces such as the town centre, cemeteries and local parks and playgrounds. Each sign is colour coded for the specific dog control and will usually be located near entrances or exits so members of the public can view them easily.
Areas covered by the PSPO
All areas are subject to regular reviews based on any evidence and information collated whilst in force.
We are working to create format that will list all areas covered on a single page. In the meantime you can see areas covered by the 2025 PSPO here.
| Wards |
|---|
| Brickhill | Bromham and Biddenham | Castle |
Francis Grove Close Tyne Crescent Owls Park, Ashmead Road Tydeman Close Crispin Drive | Bromham Mill Woodland Walk (Order added July 2022) Browning and Howkin Close Chestnut Avenue Molivers Lane Village Hall sport pitches, Bromham (order added July 2022) Pavillion Sports Field and Grounds, Biddenham Kings Field, Biddenham (Order added July 2022) St James Church Burial Ground extension, Biddenham (Order added July 2022) | Holt Row Priory Greyfriars Russell Park Sovereign’s Quay Town Centre |
| Cauldwell | Clapham | De Parys |
Althorpe Str and St Leonard’s Dorsey Drive Faraday Square Moor Lane and Mowbray Road Offa Road | Clapham Play Areas King George Field | Foster Hill Rd and Bedford Pk |
| Eastcotts | Elstow and Stewartby | Goldington |
Beauvais Square Chamberlain Way Concorde Close Play Area, Southcote Play Area and MUGA, Shortstown (Order added July 2022) | Miller Road Titchfield Drive and Whitby Way Park Crescent Play Area, Stewartby (Order added July 2022)
Playing Field, Stewartby (Order added July 2022) | Birse Green and Ettrick Drive Downside Play Area Goldington Green Milburn Road and Saxon Grange Poppyfields Joyce Close Fiona Way Primrose Fields Primrose Fields (Area 3) Markham Close |
| Great Barford | Harpur | Harrold |
Norse Rd, Asgard Dr, Tolkien Cl and Embla Cl Village Green and All Saints Church, Great Barford (Order added July 2022) Norse Road Cemetery Playing Field Dothans, Pyms and Willoughby Close Grenadier Close Ravensden School Playing Field (order added July 2022) | Clapham Road | Harrold Odell Country Park |
| Kempston Central and East | Kempston North | Kempston Rural |
Malakand Road Redwald Close and The Pitts St Johns | Hillgrounds Road and Addison Howard Park | Great Portway and Little Portway Great Denham High Road and Oak Croft Greenkeepers Road, Great Denham Greenkeepers Road, Play Area near River, Great Denham Watford Grove Forvargue Mead Queen Eleanor Drive MUGA, Play Hub, Terrington Place Play Area, Great Denham (Order added July 2022) Country Park Play Area, Great Denham (Order added July 2022) Ryder Close Great Denham (Order added July 2022) Recreational Ground, Turvey Priory Close, Turvey Wood End Road |
| Kempston South | Kempston West | Kingsbrook |
Lovat Walk, Beech Walk, The Almonds and Southfields | Balliol Road | Alburgh Close Duchess Road Jubilee Park Lily Close Kathie Road Acorn Way |
| Newnham | Oakley | Putnoe |
Aylesbury Road Cartmel Priory Priory Country Park | Play Area in the Play Field, Stevington Playing Field in Pavenham St Peters Church Yard, Pavenham St Mary The Virgin Churchyard, Stevington | Belvoir Walk Mowsbury Park |
| Queens Park | Riseley | Sharnbrook |
Allen Park The Slipe Westbourne Gardens Henley Road Play Areas | Memorial Lane, Bletsoe | Radwell Road, Milton Ernest |
| Wilshamstead | Wootton | Wyboston |
Wixams Village Lake Jubilee Field Whitworth Play Area Kingfisher Play Area Green Lane, Play Area 3D Pitch, Green Lane The Waterfront, Play Area Dane Lane, Play Area Pheasant Grove, Play Area | Recreation Ground and Memorial Hall Play Area | |
