A SUMMER ban on dogs on most of Minehead beach is to be reintroduced, five years after councillors forgot to renew it.

Many other sites in West Somerset will also have a year-round ban on dogs, including parks and children’s play areas in Dulverton, Dunster, Carhampton, Crowcombe, Brushford, Porlock, Washford, Watchet, Timberscombe, Williton, Withycombe, Alcombe, and Wheddon Cross.

A previous dog ban on the beach in Minehead expired in 2019 but the then-Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) overlooked renewing it.

However, signage telling people about the ban was left in situ despite not being enforceable until the oversight was pointed out by dog owners last year.

Somerset Council, which has since replaced SWT, then carried out a public consultation on the idea of reintroducing the ban which attracted 533 responses, most of which supported it.

The authority wanted to find a balance between the beach being able to be used for families and visitors alongside dog owners.

The consultation showed a large proportion of people would be happy for dogs to be allowed on part of the beach.

Councillors agreed dogs will not be permitted between May 1 and September 30 on the stretch from Minehead Golf Club groyne to the Jubilee cafe, but they can be taken onto the sands between the cafe and harbour.

Councillors also decided to reinstate a Blenheim Gardens dog ban after more than 70 per cent of survey respondents supported it.

The measures will be enforced for the next three years under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which will have to be reviewed again at the end of that period.

A well as imposing the ban for some areas, councillors agreed to an order that dogs must be kept on a lead in the following areas:

A council spokesperson said: “The PSPOs should reduce anti-social behaviour caused by irresponsible dog owners by ensuring certain areas are free from dogs, dogs kept on leads, or authorised officers can request dogs are put on leads where necessary.

“In addition, it requires dog owners to pick up dog mess and dispose of it responsibly which should have a positive benefit to the overall quality of life and wellbeing of everyone.

“The proposal to renew the existing PSPOs for a further three years and implement PSPOs in new areas should have a positive effect on the public’s perception of crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour rates being reduced and enforced in their neighbourhood.”

Although not initially considered, the Millennium Rose Garden, Minehead, was also added to the sites where a complete dog ban will be enforced.

Fixed penalty £100 fines can be issued to anybody who breaches the PSPO and they can also be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000.