The City of London Corporation is launching a public consultation on the extension of the existing Dog Control Orders as Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) from 1st December 2017 at Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve.

The consultation, which starts on 1st April, is an opportunity for local people and users of the site to have their say about Dog Control Orders becoming PSPOs.

Dog Control Orders were introduced to reduce anti-social dog behaviour at the site in December 2014.

The legislation around Dog Control Orders is currently in the process of being repealed by the government which has introduced a new power to make PSPOs.

PSPOs can be used to address all of the matters previously covered by the Dog Control Orders. PSPOs must be reviewed every three years to ensure that they are still necessary.

In April and as a first step, views will be sought through a visitor survey across Burnham Beeches. This will be followed by a request for people to write, by letter or email, to the City of London Corporation expressing their views between May 1st and 15th June.

The City Corporation will continue to promote this timetable to the public and where to send comments over the coming weeks.

Burnham Beeches is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve and a European Special Area of Conservation. The site covers 220 hectares and is best known for its ancient beech and oak pollards and the range of flora and fauna associated with its old and ancient trees and decaying wood.

A registered charity, Burnham Beeches has been owned and managed by the City of London Corporation since 1880. The City Corporation spends over £500,000 a year on the site to conserve the woodland and provide access to the general public.

The City of London Corporation protects and conserves a range of historic and natural green and open spaces for recreation, nature conservation and public health and wellbeing. It protects and conserves 18 major green spaces in London and south east England – including two ancient woodlands - and over 200 smaller ones in the Square Mile. They include important wildlife habitats, sites of scientific interest and national nature reserves. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

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Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Public Services Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details