First it was second homeowners who were not welcome in Norfolk’s popular coastal resorts – now the tide has turned on dogs too.
A series of seaside communities have voted recently to impose restrictions on wealthy outsiders snapping up properties or renting out homes, blaming them for soaring house prices that leave locals unable to live in the areas themselves.
Now one of the county’s most dog-friendly villages has unleashed frustration about the pets, saying owners are allowing their mess to foul its sandy beach and terrorise wildlife.
Residents in Winterton, which is widely advertised online as welcoming four-legged friends, want to limit the number of dog walkers.
David Hambrook, 77, said: ‘I can assure you the people who live in this village are absolutely sick to death of other people bringing their dogs here.
Now one of the county’s most dog-friendly villages has unleashed frustration about the pets, saying owners are allowing their mess to foul its sandy beach and terrorise wildlife. Pictured: File image
Residents in Winterton, which is widely advertised online as welcoming four-legged friends, want to limit the number of dog walkers. Pictured: File image
It comes as a series of seaside communities have voted recently to impose restrictions on wealthy outsiders snapping up properties or renting out homes – as illustrated on this map – blaming them for soaring house prices that leave locals unable to live in the areas themselves
Residents in Winterton (pictured) want to limit the number of dog walkers
‘They are using it as a toilet and not clearing it up – throwing it in trees, throwing it in bushes. It’s an absolute, utter disgrace.’
Another local, Kevin Clarke, complained: ‘There is a lot of inconsiderate parking and fouling.
‘Everyone has the right to exercise their dogs here if they want – it’s a beautiful environment and we’d like to share it.
‘But there has to be more respect for where and when. And they have to clean up after their dogs.’
Another local, who didn’t want to be named, said: ‘We’ve got a lovely wide, sandy beach and you see dogs do their business and their owners just walk away, pretending they haven’t noticed.
‘They wouldn’t let it happen in their own streets. But come here and it’s different rules.’
Ann Jones, who regularly visits Winterton beach to remove plastic, added: ‘We see a lot of bags with mess in them. We’ve found just one bag today but there’s often more.’
David Vyse, until recently the vice-chairman of Friend of Horsey Seals, said: ‘As soon as dog walkers see a seal, they should put their dog on a lead.
Local Kevin Clarke complained: ‘There is a lot of inconsiderate parking and fouling’
David Vyse, until recently the vice-chairman of Friend of Horsey Seals, said that as soon as dog walkers see a seal they should put their pet on a lead. Pictured: A grey seal pup on the beach at Horsey in Norfolk
Others claimed the alleged problems were overblown, however – or said locals were just as guilty themselves. Pictured: Grey seal pups on the beach at Horsey in Norfolk
Others claimed the alleged problems were overblown, however – or said locals were just as guilty themselve
‘But a lot of people don’t take heed. We’ve had lots of problems in the past.’
Others claimed the alleged problems were overblown, however – or said locals were just as guilty themselves.
Geoff Roper, who regularly takes his dogs to the beach, said: ‘I don’t think dogs are an issue. It’s a big, open space and most people clear up their mess.
‘It would spoil trade for the café if dog walkers were banned, like in summer at Yarmouth and Gorleston. If you lose dogs, you’ll lose visitors.’
Former dog owner Gary Carruthers added: ‘We see locals take their dogs out at night and don’t clear up, so you can’t blame visitors.’
Annual holidaymaker David Brine, who visits with wife Paula, said: ‘We’ve never known a better beach for dogs. I can count on two fingers how many times I’ve seen dog mess here. It’s not a problem at all.’
James Bensly, a district councillor who represents the village, insisted while there might be a problem with dog mess, the village should continue to welcome visitors.
‘We take into consideration and understand people’s heightened tensions regarding dogs and dangerous breeds but Winterton is, and has been, a very safe place for dog owners and walkers enjoying our beautiful coastline,’ he said.
It comes as Norfolk coastal communities have decided to impose restrictions on second homeowners and holiday lets after locals approved them in referendums. Pictured: File image
‘Winterton is a place for dog walkers and the car park and surrounding businesses appreciate, respect and welcome everyone.’
The council had a 100 per cent prosecution rate for dog fouling offences, he added.
The Mail has reported how a series of Norfolk coastal communities have decided to impose restrictions on second homeowners and holiday lets after locals approved them in referendums.
Conditions include newbuilds having to be occupied by permanent residents and investors converting properties into short-term lets having to show there will be no negative impact on the area.
Other holiday hotspots have taken similar action, including in St Ives in Cornwall, Salcombe in Devon, Swanage in Dorset and Tenby in Pembrokeshire.
