Fenced area

Update: October 2025

On July 10th 2025 a full Council Meeting discussed the Petition to ‘Reinstate the dog-free fenced area in Blakers Park”. See below for full background details.

Despite a unanimous vote in favour of reinstating the area as ‘dog free’ we are still waiting for next steps to be taken.

Unless the Council decides to view this as an ‘Expedited Matter’ it looks like we will have to wait until 2026 when the next round of ‘ Public Spaces Protection Orders’ are reviewed.

Meanwhile, the status of the fenced area remains unresolved.

*Background

Simon Andrews (petition organiser and Cleveland Road resident) presented the petition and then Theresa Fowler (Labour Councillor for our ward) spoke in support, as did Councillors from all the other parties, plus an independent Councillor.

Councillor Fowler said they would ask officers to bring it forward and the Council voted unanimously to support the petition. See links at the end of this email.

The matter is now in the Agenda which can be viewed and downloaded at https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/documents/g11967/Public%20reports%20pack%2010th-Jul-2025%2016.30%20Council.pdf?T=10Here is a link to the video of the meeting. The matter is discussed from 1:40:30 to 1:55:00 and can be viewed on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/live/q5b1xUyKx58?feature=shared&t=6033

Here’s the link to the Petition itself.

https://www.change.org/p/restore-the-dog-free-fenced-area-at-blakers-park-brighton?recruiter=1314041336&recruited_by_id=cddfae40-36ab-11ee-aede-d5bc51f5eae5&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_490423274_en-GB%3A10

The background to this issue is that the fenced area in the middle of Blakers Park WAS designated as dog-free for more than 50 years after local parents had asked the Council to make this a safe space for young children to play.

This 1970’s request was granted because dog poo leaves toxic traces harmful to humans and the Council then put up ‘ No Dog’ signs.

In 2023 the dog free status bylaw was queried by a member of the public. Its designation was checked by the Council and as no record was found they removed the signs.

We as Friends of Blakers Park were not informed by the Council but when the signs disappeared we made several attempts to find out what was going on and how the dog free status might be reinstated.

Many members of our community – including dog lovers like ourselves – are unhappy about dogs being allowed to enter this area because it had been known as ‘dog free’ for so many years.

This is why we have urged the Council, backed by our Councillors, for a speedy solution by returning this to its former status.

Meanwhile we ask that everyone keep the area as clean and safe as possible.

Friends of Blakers Park