Aberavon beach dog ban: councillors to weigh four options as 64% back change

Councillors in Neath Port Talbot will consider four options for dog access at Aberavon Beach, after a public consultation found 64% of respondents were against reinstating the existing beach exclusion order. The council's current Public Spaces Protection Orders for the beach and promenade expire on 5 March 2027.

What the options are

The current rules ban dogs from a designated section of the beach and require them to be kept on leads along the promenade between 1 May and 30 September. A report to the Visible Services and Streetscene Scrutiny Committee on Friday 13 November sets out four options for the beach for the three years from 2027 to 2029: keep the existing exclusion area, reduce its size while keeping restrictions around the main bathing and visitor area, remove it entirely, or allow dogs at particular times. Officers consider reducing the exclusion area to be a workable balance between greater access for dog owners and a defined dog-free area during the bathing season. The report says that option would let the council keep pursuing Blue Flag status, provided water quality and the other criteria are met.

Promenade

For the promenade, members will choose between keeping the lead requirement from 1 May to 30 September or extending it throughout the year. Officers consider a year-round requirement workable and proportionate, given strong support for it in the consultation.

Consultation

The consultation drew 2,191 responses, against 688 in 2023. Views on the beach were divided: 64% were against reinstating the current exclusion order and 36% supported it. About 70% of respondents identified as dog owners. Around 17% of dog owners backed the beach order, against roughly 80% of non-dog owners. The committee will consider the report on 13 November. A final decision will be made at Cabinet on 2 December 2026. The full report is on the council's democracy website.