Coastal and Visitor Areas Public Space Protection Order
Earlier this week, Sefton Council has officially renewed its Coastal & Visitor Areas Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for another three years to help make the Borough’s coastline a safe, clean environment that can be enjoyed by everyone.
The PSPO, which first came into force in July 2022, includes minor alterations relating to dog control and alcohol following public consultation and invaluable emergency services feedback.
Feedback from local communities, visitors and partner agencies, gained through a public consultation in 2022, was originally used to shape the Order, which provides enforcement powers to protect the public from anti-social behaviour.
Some of the restrictions include:
- Pollution: Leaving litter, dog fouling, urinating/defecating in public, or noise pollution
- Vehicle related antisocial behaviour; either within defined car parks or taking motor vehicles outside of defined parking areas.
- Drinking alcohol in a public space after being told not to by an Authorised Officer to prevent anti-social behaviour (this is not a total ban)
- Lighting any fire or BBQ
- Taking a dog into a dog exclusion zone, or allowing its behaviour to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to another person
- Setting off fireworks, balloon or lantern releases
New Dog Control Requirement in Enclosed Areas
A new measure in the updated PSPO is the requirement that dogs must be kept on leads at all times within a conservation grazing enclosures when grazing animals are present during the winter months.
Over 80% of respondents were supportive of this additional measure, which is in response to fatal dog attacks on multiple coast conservation animals in recent years.
More information on the fatal incident earlier this year can be found: Fatal dog attack on Sefton coast conservation animal
Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing said: “We feel sure that no one would want these conservation animals to suffer in this way, and it is important we make it a legal requirement for visitors to our coastline to ensure that if they are walking their dog(s) in these enclosures to please keep them on a lead and if you do spot the sheep or cattle, take a wide route around them so they are not unnecessarily disturbed.
“The conservation sheep and cattle are such a valuable asset to the management of this stunning landscape and should be protected and respected by visitors to our coastline.”
Public Backing for Renewed Measures
The renewal of the PSPO followed a period of public consultation, with more than 60% of respondents supporting each measure, including littering and pollution, fires and BBQs, dog fouling, balloons or lantern releases, and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Mhairi Doyle, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing continued: “Our coast is one of Sefton’s greatest assets, and it’s our responsibility to protect it for everyone—residents, visitors, and wildlife.
“We are always striving for a balance between protecting public spaces and enabling responsible enjoyment of Sefton’s natural coast.
“The updated PSPO ensures the spaces we love remain safe, welcoming, and cared for.”
Next Steps and More Information
The updated PSPO takes effect immediately and will run until mid-2028.
Sefton Council remains dedicated to engaging with residents, visitors, and partners to evaluate the PSPO over the next three years.
To view the PSPO document please click the document below:
| Coastal PSPO 2022 |  (pdf 2.22MB) |
For further information, please see Frequently Asked Questions below:
A Public Space Protection Order, also known as a PSPO, is a power available under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
An order can be used to control certain activities in a specified area if two conditions are met:
- That the activities have had or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on those in the locality.
- That the effect is, or is likely to be, persistent and continuing in nature and is or is likely to be such as to make those activities unreasonable and that restrictions are justified.
Although the vast majority of visitors know how to behave, sadly there are some who can act in an inappropriate manner that cause distress and disturbance to local residents and businesses, as well as causing damage to infrastructure in the area.
PSPOs along Sefton’s coastline help the Council’s officers and its partner agencies by making clear what is acceptable and unacceptable.
The PSPO will cover coastal and visitor areas that get especially busy, like town centres.
Coastal areas means the beach and the land next to the beach which is open to the public, including land owned by other partners such as the National Trust, Natural England, RSPB and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. This includes:
- sand dunes and grassed areas
- woodlands and marshes
- ponds and lakes
- promenades
- car parks
- play areas
- buildings like toilets and shelters