Blaenau Gwent Council is proposing to renew and also introduce some new controls that apply to the exercising of dogs and clearing up of dog fouling on land within the county borough and welcomes comments on the proposals from all interested members of the public.
What currently happens?
On the 1st November 2022 the Council introduced a Public Space Protection Order for dog controls within its area that created dog exclusion areas, dogs on lead areas and made it an offence to fail to remove dog faeces once a dog has defecated. If owners commit an offence they are currently offered a fixed penalty notice of £100 in lieu of prosecution, which if they don’t accept or pay within a specified time, will result in a court appearance.
What is changing?
The Public Space Protection Order for dog controls that was introduced by the Council in 2022 was for a period of 3 years and is due to expire later this year.
The Council proposes to introduce a new Public Space Protection Order for dog controls that covers-
- The Fouling of Land by Dogs - this will apply borough wide, where it will be an offence to fail to remove dog faeces.
- Dog Exclusion Areas- this will apply to specified areas of land identified by location plans, where it will be an offence to allow a dog to enter an area designated as a dog exclusion area.
- Dog on Lead Areas - this will apply to specified areas of land identified by location plans, where it will be an offence not to keep a dog on a lead in an area designated as a dogs on leads area.
The new proposals for sites to be covered by either dog exclusion areas or dog on lead areas can be found in the reference document and location plans attached.
Noticeable changes from existing sites covered by dog exclusion or dog on lead areas.
Proposed new dog exclusion areas at:
- PSPO-DC-130- Chartist Way Primary School, Sirhowy, Tredegar. A new primary school has been constructed which is proposed to be a dog exclusion area.
- PSPO-DC-131- Glyncoed Primary School, Beaufort, Ebbw Vale. A new primary school has been constructed which is proposed to be a dog exclusion area.
- PSPO-DC132- Pen y Cwm School, Unit 4 Gwent Court, Ebbw Vale. An expansion of Pen y Cwm facilities proposed to be a dog exclusion area.
- PSPO-DC-133-Abertillery Learning Centre, Former Cod Cae Community Centre, Blaina. An expansion of Abertillery Learning Centre proposed to be dog exclusion area.
- PSPO-DC-134- Playground at Chartist Way, Sirhowy, Tredegar. A new playground facility proposed to be an exclusion area.
Proposed exclusion sites to be removed from the current order and not included in the new 2025 order-
- PSPO-DC-010 – Playground at Woodland Terrace, Abertillery. Site now closed
- PSPO-DC-017 – Playground at Vivian Street, Abertillery. Site now closed.
- PSPO-DC-047 - Playground at Attlee Road, Nantyglo. Site now closed.
- PSPO-DC-048 - Playground at Garn Cross, Nantyglo. Site now closed.
- PSPO-DC-074 - Former Glyncoed Primary School, Badminton Grove, Ebbw Vale. Site now closed.
- PSPO-DC-085 - Play area at Darby Crescent, Hilltop, Ebbw Vale. Site now closed.
- PSPO-DC-101 - Playground at Chartist Way, Sirhowy, Tredegar. Site now closed.
What land will be covered by the Public Space Protection Orders?
The dog fouling aspect of the public space protection order will apply to all land which is open to the air and to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access within the area of Blaenau Gwent.
The proposed dog exclusion areas and the dogs on lead areas relate to specific areas of land outlined by the location plans and reference document below.
The plans can also be viewed at the office below between Monday and Friday between 9am and 5pm.
The Frontline Enforcement Team, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, General Offices, Steelworks Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6DN.
What is the penalty for failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order?
Blaenau Gwent CBC is proposing to continue to offer a fixed penalty notice of £100 for offences contained within the Public Space Protection Orders. Failure to pay the fixed penalty notice will result in the authority taking legal action which may result in a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale, which is currently £1,000.
The consultation process
The council has a legal duty to consult on the proposed Public Space Protection Order for dog controls before they are introduced. The consultation period will run from Wednesday 3rd September 2025 until Wednesday 17th September 2025. Following the consultation period, we will consider any representations that have been made before deciding whether to make any changes or proceed to confirm the order.
How do I comment on the proposals?
If you would like to comment on the orders for dog controls please either e-mail us or write to us by Wednesday, 17th September 2025 using the contact details below:
Email: frontline@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Write to: Frontline Enforcement Team, Waste Office, Barleyfields Industrial Estate, Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent NP23 4YF.
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