Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation

Colchester City Council intends to renew the Dog Fouling Public Space Protection Order. Any representations relating to the renewal should be directed via our online form or by emailing Andrew.williams2@colchester.gov.uk by 29 December 2025.

The public is invited to submit its views on proposals to renew a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within the entire Colchester District (Restricted Area).

The consultation will run for 13 days from Wednesday 3 December 2025 until Monday 29 December 2025.

If approved, the PSPO would cover the restricted area and last for three years.

The implementation follows complaints to the Council from residents and visitors about antisocial behaviour. Members of the public walking their dogs and allowing them to defecate in public areas, without removing the waste. This causes nuisance and a risk to public health.

It applies to all land in the administrative area of the Council to which the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission. A plan of the administrative area of the Council is attached to the Order.

Under section 59(4) of the Act, the Council requires that where a dog defecates on land to which this Order applies, the person in charge of the dog at that time must immediately remove the faeces from the land.

Failure without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirement imposed by this Order is a summary offence under section 67 of the 2014 Act.

A person guilty of an offence under section 67 is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

A constable or an authorised person may under section 68 of the 2014 Act issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 67 in relation to this Order.

Exemptions:

This Order does not apply to:

a) Any person registered as blind under section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948 or

b) Any person with a disability that affects their mobility, manual dexterity, or ability to lift, carry, or move everyday objects, who relies on an assistance dog trained by a prescribed charity.

Restricted Area

The activities described above would be prohibited across the entire Colchester District.