Keeping Open Spaces Safe – The Council Wants Your Views
Published on Monday, 24th May 2021
The Council is keen to hear from residents and visitors on a proposal to make sure that park users enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t behave in a way that causes a nuisance to others.
Maldon District Council is appealing for feedback on a proposal to make open spaces better and safer for everyone to enjoy.
The Council is keen to hear from residents and visitors on a proposal to make sure that park users enjoy alcohol responsibly and don’t behave in a way that causes a nuisance to others. The proposal would also ban the possession or use of illegal drugs or psychoactive substances so called Nitrous Oxide (Nos cannisters). Further information can be found by visiting www.maldon.gov.uk/consultations
The Council has received complaints of this type of anti-social behaviour in open spaces and therefore wants to introduce a Public Space Protection Order or PSPO for certain areas of Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch. This order would give Council staff the authority to challenge poor behaviour around alcohol and illegal drugs in these areas, and if necessary, issue a fine to people acting irresponsibly.
If agreed, the PSPO would cover Promenade Park and the Hythe Quay in Maldon, Riverside Park in Burnham-on Crouch and adjoining roads in both towns.
Councillor Wendy Stamp, Leader of Maldon District Council, said “We want everyone to enjoy the open spaces in our District. However, seeing someone behaving badly because they’ve had too much to drink, or used an illegal substance, can be really distressing, especially for children.
“We want to make sure that this doesn’t happen, so introducing this PSPO now will help us to stamp out any anti-social behaviour making sure that our parks are safe to enjoy when we can all get out and about again.
“Before we can introduce it though, we need to be sure that there is support for this proposal. We are therefore appealing for residents and visitors to give us their views by 4 July 2021 by going to www.maldon.gov.uk/consultations Completing the questionnaire will only take a few moments and your feedback will be valuable to help us to keep the parks safe for everyone to enjoy.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editor
- The consultation is open between 24 May 2021 and 4 July 2021
- The proposed PSPO in Maldon would cover Promenade Park, Hythe Quay and adjoining roads spreading to the High Street.
- The PSPO would cover Riverside Park, High Street and adjoining roads in Burnham-On-Crouch.
- If agreed the PSPO would be in place for three years.
- It would be a criminal offence if a person failed to comply with the order. The usual penalty will be a Fixed Penalty Notice.
- More articles in the news archive
- Maldon District Council news RSS feed