Dog owners in Aberavon could be required to keep their pets on leads along the promenade all year round under proposals from the council.
Neath Port Talbot Council wants to extend the existing “dogs on leads” rule on the seafront so that it applies throughout the year, rather than only in summer.
At present, the requirement only applies during the busier season, between 1 May and 30 September.
The proposed change forms part of a wider review of the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) covering the seafront, which are due to expire and need renewing.
The council has opened a consultation on the plans, and is asking residents and visitors for their views before any decision is made.
The existing seasonal ban on dogs from the main section of the beach between May and September would stay the same.
So too would the summer lead requirement on the promenade — the only change being consulted on is whether to extend it across the whole year.
The council said roughly half the beach currently faces restrictions, with the other half remaining dog-friendly.
It said it wanted to strike a balance between dog owners and other people who use the seafront, and was keen to hear “balanced views” from all sides.
The consultation also touches on the beach’s environmental ambitions.
Aberavon currently holds a Seaside Award — the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to do so — and the council has set its sights on the more prestigious Blue Flag status.
The council said Keep Wales Tidy had confirmed that a full dog restriction is required to meet Blue Flag standards, meaning a timed restriction — such as 9am to 6pm, as some people have requested — would not be possible.
The consultation gives people the chance to suggest alternative approaches.
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Wellbeing, Cllr Cen Phillips, said the seafront was “one of our most valued and well-used spaces”.
“It’s important we strike the right balance between maintaining a safe, clean and welcoming environment for everyone, while also recognising and balancing the needs of responsible dog owners,” he said.
“This consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say and help shape how these measures are applied in the future. I would encourage anyone who uses the seafront to take part and share their views before any final decisions are made.”
PSPOs are used by councils to manage behaviour in public spaces. The orders at Aberavon have been in place since 2017 and must be reviewed every three years.
The consultation is open now, and people can have their say on the council’s website.
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