Protest held over proposed dog ban on HOLD land at Lapford

NOT a proper sit-in - the grass was too damp - more than 30 dog owners and walkers gathered on the new grassed area in the middle of Lapford on Sunday morning (May 9) to protest about plans to ban dogs.

Because dog owners have made their feelings quite clear to the group that runs the area, the Heart Of Lapford Development (HOLD) group, talks are now being held to discuss the potential ban.

This grassy patch, Lower Town Place, is behind the Victory Hall in the middle of the village. It opened last summer, used to be part of a farm and still had the old farm buildings.

Ever since it opened dogs have been allowed so long as they are on a lead and poop is picked up. However, the HOLD committee announced it had reluctantly decided to ban dogs as from May 10.

This so incensed dog owners and walkers in the village that they protested. This ban is now being reconsidered, but local residents still went ahead with their protest gathering at Lower Town Place.

“We are pretty upset in the way dogs are being discriminated against, we know there are people who do not pick up after their dogs which is not fair to the rest of us,” said one of the protesters.

Sara Thurgood, of Lapford Dog Club added that this was a safe area for families to meet, which could include their dog.

“There are a lot of elderly or disabled people in the village who cannot use the footpaths. There is a lady in a wheelchair with a dog who finds this area so useful. There is no way she could use a footpath,” she said.

“Having a space like this is good for people’s mental welfare. I cannot see lots of dog owners exercising their dogs here, most of us use the roads and footpaths around the village.”

Sara added that this was not about the Dog Club, it was about the whole village. One lady with a dog who now finds walking difficult said Lower Town Place was a wonderful spot to meet people with her dog.

The Dog Club had been grateful for the space to be able to meet outside but the ban would leave it with nowhere to meet in the village.

HOLD (Heart of Lapford Development Ltd) is an incorporated company registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as a Community Benefit Society (CBS), as such, it is owned by the members purely for the benefit of the community. Membership is by share purchase.

A spokesman for HOLD told the "Courier": "HOLD is facilitating a dialogue workshop with a number of parish organisations such as the parish council from which it is hoped a solution will be found.

"There had been quite a strong representation to HOLD about the health threat, particularly to young people if dogs were allowed on the park.”