Beach dog ban angers holiday home owner
A PLAN to enforce a partial dog ban on Combe Martin beach has angered a man who has two holiday properties in the village.
Surrey County Councillor Denis Fuller, 68, fears allowing dogs on part of the beach will threaten Combe Martin's tourist industry. He said: "This isn't just a campaign to save our beach – this is a campaign to save our village.
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GATHERING FORCE: Dog Ban protesters Sarah Croxford, Trevor Kibble, Chloe Croxford, 6, Jamie Croxford, Gary Mallinder and Donna Green. Picture: Mike Southon. To order this photograph call 0844 4060 269 and quote Ref: BNMS20120203E-006_C
Mr Fuller, who is a charted accountant as well as a county councillor, says he has never heard so many people angry in one village. More than 500 people have signed a petition urging a total dog ban on the beach.
Mr Fuller, from Camberley, said: "In my ward in Surrey we only need to see 100 people against something to take on board their views and listen to them. Combe Martin Parish Council is not listening to over 500 people."
Mr Fuller and his wife bought an old miner's cottage in the village 20 years ago after falling in love with the area.
He fears tourists will be put off because dogs on the beach are likely to reduce the water quality.
He added: "We rent our cottage and bungalow and have good returns on both. We say dogs are welcome for an extra charge and people respect that dogs are not allowed on the beach."
Mr Fuller worries the beach will be labelled as bad quality and unsafe. He said: "They (the parish councillors) are not doing what I would be doing if I was on the council — words fail me."
Mr Fuller believes businesses should be asked to sponsor dog mess bins to help clean up the whole village.
The debate has been reaching all corners of the village including Combe Martin Tourist Association's AGM on Saturday and Facebook.
On Friday nearly 150 protestors gathered on the beach along with banners saying Save Our Beach. Nobody from the parish council was available to comment when the Journal asked for a response.
But parish council clerk Michelle Beaumont said the council was waiting for responses from agencies such as North Devon Council and Exmoor National Park Authority on the proposed partial ban.
Once they have the responses by next Wednesday , with only North Devon Council needing to give their approval, the parish council can begin their own consultation within two to three weeks.
13 Comments
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by Bangtastic
Wednesday, February 29 2012, 11:54PM
“Joanna,
There is no place for religious claptrap on here, go join the Bideford town council if you want to spout your fantasy stories about some made up bloke, in a made up story, from a made up book who did made up stuff that there is ABSOLUTELY no proof of it ever happening. Not only that there is ABSOLUTE proof that the earth was formed 4.6 Billion years ago by accretion from the solar nebula.”
by joannaexe
Wednesday, February 29 2012, 11:43PM
“Why all the vitriol aimed at dogs? I don't understand it.
Why should they be banned from beaches they have as much right to go onto a beach as we have.
God created earth for all creatures great and small.”
by BenDover169
Saturday, February 11 2012, 11:34PM
“Agree with you albinonina, all of the beaches I have been on that allow dogs on the beach is full of dog mess. The owners seem to assume that it is ok as 'the sea will wash it away'. This is one reason why they should be banned from the beaches. Another reason is when they run over to you, jump up at you and the owner says "its alright they are friendly, they won't hurt you", that's not the point, I don't want them jumping up at me, they would soon be annoyed if i let my kids run up to them and jumped all over them, or even worse if I let them sh*t on the beach. So why do they let their dogs do it???”
by albinonina
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:21AM
“bangtastic, not sure whAT beach your lucky to live by that doesnt have dog poo on it, but it cant be the one in combe martin! all thats being asked is that for a few months in the summer the main beach is dog free and owners use the beach 5 min walk away , i also fail to understand what benifits a dog will get by being on a beach.. having to be kept on a lead so unable to exercise fully, no fresh water (unless the owner is willing to climb in the river,) little or no shade in the hot weather..... so surely its better for the DOGS to use the other beach where there are no restrictions anyway!”
by skareggae72
Friday, February 10 2012, 12:51PM
“Ban everyone from the beach......apart from me.”
by Bangtastic
Friday, February 10 2012, 7:54AM
“Good lord, all this fuss about dogs on the beach.
Why not, why should dogs be banned you will want children banned from the beach next, actually thats not such a bad idea.
Dogs have as much right to go on the beach as anyone else. You rarely see any dog mess on the beach anyway.”
by NameSupplied
Friday, February 10 2012, 3:37AM
“A great deal of Combe Martin's economy is dependent on the Tourist Industry. This includes our shops, pubs, cafes, various forms of accommodation and a wide range of local trades, services and amenities. These resources are a mainstay of local employment and enable residents (in many cases those born here) to remain in the village and maintain and retain their homes here. A reasonable holiday cottage (we are not talking about unused 2nd homes here) will bring around 40 families a year to the village and each of these families will probably spend more money in the village in a week than most residents can spend in a month. This brings me to what I thought was the basis of this issue - THE BEACH.
I think it is reasonable to suggest Combe Martin attracts most of it's holidaymakers (and a great many of it's residents) because it is on the Coast and has the valuable asset of a beach and the unusual further asset of an adjoining beach which allows dogs during the season. There is major local concern that the decision to allow dogs onto the main beach as well will severely compromise the enjoyment of this beach by residents and holidaymakers alike. The decision has caused an outcry from all corners of our community with over 500 residents - comprising 95% of respondants - expressing the view the main beach should be dog free in the holiday season. The fact that the chap whose comments the journal selected to use from the 150 present at the time is from Surrey should not mean his comments are irrelevant. They were well expressed and informed and represent the view of many, many people who live, work, pay taxes and vote here.”
by accom
Thursday, February 09 2012, 10:53PM
“Here's Denis Fuller: http://tinyurl.com/7wfh4je (from public domain, Surrey CC website)”
by BenDover169
Thursday, February 09 2012, 9:05PM
“So the guy is from Surrey and probably makes it down once a year at best.
He said: "This isn't just a campaign to save our beach – this is a campaign to save our village".He really means "This isn't just a campaign to save our beach – this is a campaign to make sure my holiday cottage continues making me money"”
by nodogsonbeach
Thursday, February 09 2012, 8:32PM
“I agree with maddogwoman that the other issues on the beach do need addressing. accom -Combe Martin is becoming a ghost town, but this cant be blamed on 0ne businessman! Should you shame someone for expressing his opinion? I think not!
As for the real issue, the dogs on the beach! I think it will seal the end of Combe Martin as a tourist attraction! Far too many people are saying that they would not visit again if the ban goes ahead,as they do not want dogs on the beach, i think this is a worrying thought! The businessman has a very valid points!!!”