Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet members have agreed approved new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) for all area of Westmorland and Furness at a meeting held in Kendal on Tuesday (5th November)
The Orders, set to replace those which were specific to legacy district councils, will establish a consistent approach to addressing various issues across the area including dog fouling, regulating alcohol consumption and a range of other anti-social activity.
A PSPO is a tool available to local authorities under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which helps to address the impact of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and make sure that it does not have a detrimental effect to the local community’s quality of life.
The council has said “The orders are intended to help ensure that people can use and enjoy our public spaces and are kept safe from anti-social behaviour.”
“The councils new PSPOs were developed in close consultation with local police, community groups, and residents, who voiced strong support for measures that promote responsible behaviour and preserve the quality of life across Westmorland and Furness.”
The Orders which will be implemented shortly by the council will introduce restrictions on specific behaviours that negatively impact public spaces, including designated dog control areas, alcohol regulation zones, and restricted access areas for vehicles and unauthorised structures.
Among the orders is a ban on overnight parking that says “No person shall position any vehicle, campervan, motorhome, caravan, tent or any other temporary structure designed or intended to provide shelter or accommodation for the purpose of an overnight stay or stays, on any land owned by Westmorland and Furness Council to include car parks, verges, laybys, highways and streets maintained at the public expense.”
The ban could impact a number of HGV drivers who due to driving hours are forced to sleep overnight in vehicles in laybys across the district and hit the growing trend of Wild Camping that has grown in popularity since the pandemic including people using campervan’s.
The order also bans Fires or Barbecues on any Parks and Open Spaces owned or controlled by Westmorland and Furness unless prior written consent has been obtained from the council.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services, said:
“Our priority is ensuring Westmorland and Furness remains a safe, welcoming environment for everyone. As a council we are well placed to handle concerns around anti-social behaviour and PSPOs allow us to safeguard our communities whilst upholding the quality of our public spaces.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views through our recent consultation and to all our partners, including the Police, for their support and contributions to these new Public Space Protection Orders.
“We’re committed to working with local partners to not only enforce these rules but also to educate and engage with our communities. Through this collaborative approach, we aim to create safer, more enjoyable spaces for residents and visitors alike.”
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