A Ventnor town councillor is calling on the IW Council to use its current review of beach restrictions to make the Island a more attractive place for local dog owners and for the many visitors who travel with their pets.

Cllr Ian Bond has tabled a motion for the Town Council’s August 12 meeting, which asks the Island council to look at the changes made in Cornwall since 2020. Cllr Bond said: “Cornwall County Council reviewed all its beach restrictions in 2020, which had previously been similar to the Island’s with many beaches restricted May through September. After its largest-ever public consultation, almost all Cornish beaches are now restricted for July and August and between 10am and 6pm, only.”

The new Cornish restrictions were supported by more than two in three responses to its consultation across the county, and have remained popular having been retained after a further review two years ago.

Cllr Bond said: “The review of local Public Space Protection Orders presents a tremendous opportunity to make the Island a more attractive place to live or visit with a dog. We should restrict our beaches during the busy school holiday months only, and allow dog owners to use them during early morning and evening, when they are otherwise often empty.

“Since the IOWC restrictions lapsed earlier this year, in Ventnor we have seen many dog owners using our beach at quieter times this summer. They have been responsible, and having dogs on our beach really hasn’t caused us any significant problems for our summer season.”