Dogs will be allowed to roam without a lead on Dorset beaches this winter, including Lyme Regis Front Beach.

The new 2024 dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area has officially been confirmed.

This follows the council’s Cabinet approving the recommendations made to them in a report for the dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area.

If there aren’t any challenges, the order will come into effect on January 1 2024.

The Cabinet report was formed following a consultation that gathered views from residents, visitors, businesses and other organisations.

The survey ran for 10 weeks and received over 4,000 responses, with 80% of the responses coming from local residents.

Lyme Regis councillors previously complained that the consultation process undertaken by Dorset Council was flawed – giving too much weight to people who did not live in the area.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said:

“This has been an extensive consultation with a good cross section of people.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to implement the order according to the thoughts of most respondents.

“As the winter requirement to keep dogs on leads at Front Town Beach, Lyme Regis has now been removed, we will undertake a spring review of that aspect of the order.”

Unless amended at any stage, the order will remain in place for three years.