Public Spaces Protection Order – Dog Control 2026 extension - Second consultation

Overview

In June and July 2026 residents, dog owners, visitors and local organisations were invited to take part in a consultation on the proposed extension to the current North Northamptonshire Council's Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The current PSPO, which includes controls on dog fouling, dogs on leads, dogs on leads by direction and dog exclusion areas, is due to expire on 30 November 2026. The recent public consultation showed strong support for extending the existing controls, with more than 85% of respondents supporting their continuation.

Some additional amendments were suggested which require a second-stage consultation on proposed changes to North Northamptonshire Council's Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

This second consultation focuses only on proposed new restrictions and amendments to specific locations. Residents are being asked to comment on draft proposals and mapped areas before any final decisions are made.

The proposals include:

• Additional dogs-on-leads requirements at Barnwell Country Park, including around Mill Lake and on selected central pathways.
• Additional controls at Sywell Country Park.
• A requirement for dogs to be kept on leads within designated country park car parks.
• New dog exclusion zones within identified Wildlife Refuge Areas and Educational Wild Zones.
• A proposal to designate the enclosed recreation and play area at Pytchley Recreation Ground as a dog exclusion zone.

You can view more detail and boundaries via the links below:

Barnwell Country Park: dogs on leads and dog exclusion area
East Carlton Park: dogs on leads and dog exclusion area
Fermyn Woods Country Park: dogs on leads and dog exclusion area
Irchester Country Park: dogs on leads and dog exclusion area
Sywell Country Park: dogs on leads and dog exclusion area
Pytchley Recreation and Play Area: dog exclusion area

The consultation gives residents the opportunity to review the proposed locations and boundaries, consider the balance between recreation, public safety and wildlife protection, and provide feedback before recommendations are presented to councillors later this year.

Feedback received during this consultation will help inform the Council's final recommendations on any amendments to the Dog Control PSPO.

You can view the current PSPO for Dog Control on the NNC website.   

Have your say 

Please tell us your views on the proposal to amend the PSPO for Dog Control by completing this questionnaire.   

Your feedback will be part of a report with many other people’s feedback, so you will not be personally identified.   

If you have any queries, comments or would like a copy of this questionnaire in another format (including paper, easy read or large print) you can contact us by email, post or telephone. Our contact details are as follows: 

 Email address: envprotection@northnorthants.gov.uk 

Postal address: 

North Northamptonshire Council 
PSPO for Dog Control extension consultation
Environmental Protection 
Swanspool House 
Doddington Road 
Wellingborough 
Northants 
NN8 1BP 

This consultation will close at 23.59 on 14 September 2026. 

At the end of the survey there is an opportunity, for those responding as an individual, to share some demographic information. The purpose of asking for equality monitoring information is to check that our consultation and engagement activities have reached an audience that reflects our community and ensure everybody has an opportunity to be heard. It is voluntary and we thank you, in anticipation, for taking the time to share your details. 

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.