Public Spaces Protection Orders

Ashford Borough Council

Opens: 24 September 2019
Closes: 15th November 2019

Introduction

Ashford Borough Council is consulting on the renewal of its Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) in four areas of Ashford. This will allow the Council to continue to maintain a range of measures to address anti-social behaviour and help to improve community safety and the local environment in these areas.

The four areas have been in operation for the last three years having been identified as necessary by the council and police following reports and complaints received from local residents. Since their introduction the number of anti-social behaviour complaints has reduced. 

The areas covered are Ashford Churchyard Passage, the Coney Bear site (near Torrington Road, South Ashford), the Town Centre itself and Singleton Lake

PSPOs allow councils to tackle anti-social behaviour which takes place in a specific, geographical area (as opposed to criminal behaviour orders and injunctions which are directed at named individuals).  PSPOs are specific to each area and cover particular activities, e.g. anti-social behaviour, drinking, urinating in public. Those committing an offence can be issued fixed penalty notices and/or prosecuted.

After the consultation period, the responses will be analysed and the results reported to the council. The council will then decide whether any changes need to be made to the orders.

Residents can find out more about the consultation and take part in it via our online portal. If they do not have access to the internet, they can either visit the Civic Centre to use one of our computer terminals or pick up a hard copy.

Respond by filling in the online questionnaire

1  – Gating of Churchyard Passage

The PSPO relates to the public footpath which leads from Churchyard Passage at its junction with the High Street and as shown in blue on the map below.

It proposes to restrict the right of way along this pathway between the hours of 22:00 Friday and 06:00 Saturday and 22:00 Saturday to 06:00 Sunday.

The alternative route for pedestrians will be along Tufton Street into Bank Street and then into the pedestrianised High Street. This is shown on the map with a red dotted line.

2 – Gating of Coney Bear Site

The PSPO proposes the restrict the right of way from Torrington Road to Eastmead Avenue, Ashford as shown edged blue on the map below.

The alternative route for pedestrians will be along Torrington Road into Lower Denmark Road and into Eastmead Avenue. This is indicated on the map with a red dotted line.

3 – Ashford Urban

The Public Spaces Protection Order proposes to restrict the following activities in the public areas shown by the black line on the plan.

Any person who without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with requirements of the order commits an offence and shall be liable to a fixed penalty notice of a £100.

• No person shall urinate or defecate in a public space. This includes the doorway or alcove of any premise to which the public has access.
• No person shall refuse to stop drinking alcohol or hand over any containers (sealed or unsealed) to an authorised officer (police or Ashford Borough Council officer) which are believed to contain alcohol.
• No person shall use a motor vehicle to perform activities so as to cause a nuisance (e.g. revving engine, excessive use of horn, etc.).
• No persons shall play ball games in areas which is signed as ‘no ball games’
• No person shall use foul or abusive language.

4 – Singleton Lake

The Public Spaces Protection Order proposes to restrict the following activities in the public areas shown by the black line on the plan.

Any person who without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with requirements of the order commits an offence and shall be liable to a fixed penalty notice of a £100.

• All anglers must have a valid ticket, and be able to produce it on demand, for fishing at the lake or be a paid-up member of Ashford Angling Society
• All anglers must have appropriate rod licence issued by the Environment Agency with them and produce on their demand.
• All anglers must fish from the platforms/swims/pegs provided.
• No night fishing – no angler shall fish at the lake between sunset and sunrise.
• All fish caught must be returned to the lake whether dead or alive.
• Water birds must not be driven away by throwing stones or any missile
• No lighting of fires.
• No erecting of tents or bivvies
• No damage shall be done to the bankside, trees or water plants by digging, cutting or otherwise.
• No person may remove, displace or otherwise interfere with any life-saving equipment (except in an emergency).
• No person may deposit in or on land controlled waste.
• No person may enter the water at any time (except in an emergency situation).
• No person shall refuse to stop drinking alcohol or hand over any containers (sealed or unsealed) which are believed to contain alcohol, when required, to do so by an (police or Ashford Borough Council officer) in order to prevent public nuisance or disorder.
• No person shall use foul and/or abusive language.
• No urinating or defecating.
• No amplified music, radio, or other audio is to be played through any device, electronic or otherwise, with the exception of audio devices used in conjunction personal headphones that effectively remain inaudible to other users of the public space.
• No boating on the lake.

Survey questions

1. Please select the relevant PSPO according to the area you would like to feedback on:
2. Are you responding as a…? (please select all that apply)
   • Local resident who lives in the marked area on the map
   • Local resident who lives outside the marked area on the map
   • Person who works in the marked area on the map
   • Local business owner/manager
   • Visitor to the marked area on the map (e.g. shopper, tourist)
   • Local Borough, Parish or County Councillor
   • Representative of a local community group (please state the name of the group in the comment box below)
   • Other (please state in the comment box below)
3. How often do you visit the marked area on the map in Ashford?
4. How safe do you feel when outside DURING THE DAY in the area marked on the map?
5. How safe do you feel when outside in the EARLY EVENING (between 5pm and 8pm) in the area marked on the map?
6. How safe do you feel when outside AFTER DARK in the area marked on the map?
7. How much of a problem, if at all, do you think each of the following are to people living or working in or visiting the marked area on the map?
   • People being drunk or rowdy in a public place
   • People who misuse substances in a public place
   • Flytipping
   • People sleeping rough
   • People who defecate or urinate in public spaces
   • The use of motor-vehicles in an anti-social manner
   • People playing ball games in areas marked ‘no ball games’