Seafront gull feeders ban on backburner
ABAN on feeding seagulls on Weston-super-Mare seafront has been put on the backburner – after concerns from residents.
North Somerset Council chiefs had put forward plans to introduce a public space protection order (PSPO) to stop people feeding birds on the prom.
Anyone caught giving them titbits would have been fined £75 – or brought before the courts. The move followed increasing concern about the numbers of seagulls, often described as ‘flying rats’, along the prom.
The birds – used to being fed by locals and tourists – often swoop in and steal food from people’s hands. They have also been known to attack people in their search for dinner.
But following feedback on a consultation to introduce the ban, council chiefs have backtracked, saying further discussions are needed.
Weston councillor Mark Canniford said: “There was a bit of a kickback on the consultation on introducing a ban on feeding the gulls on Weston seafront. Some people thought it was a good idea because of the amount of seagulls, while others felt it was over interference by the council.
“We are a seaside town and there will always be seagulls.
“But feeding them things like bread and chips isn’t particularly healthy for them and not good for the environment. The ban has not been dropped, but it has been put on the backburner for further discussions.”
The council has also dropped a move to ban barbecues on the beach and crack down on the anti social use of watercraft on the bay.
“We have decided not to ban barbecues on the beach,” said Mr Canniford.
“But we will be enforcing anyone who leaves mess behind.
“If you have a barbecue on the beach and don’t clean up after yourself, and we catch you, then you can expect a £75 fine.”
Other new PSPO orders however were approved and will come into force at the beginning of June. The new orders include a districtwide one prohibiting aggressive begging and prohibiting unauthorised camping and fires and barbecues in town centres and parks and open spaces.
The new PSPOs also include dog control orders which are aimed at encouraging responsible dog ownership.
Dogs will now only be allowed at Broadcroft play area, Claverham if they are on a lead and on the public footpath. All dogs must be kept on leads at Hutton Moor playing fields.
Dogs must be kept on leads and off sports pitches at Worle recreation ground.
PSPOs were first introduced by the council in 2017.
They are enforced by designated council staff, police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and external contractors authorised by the council. Anyone breaching a PSPO could receive a written warning, restorative justice, a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 or, in some cases, face prosecution.