Gorrell Valley and Stour Parks (GVSP) Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) 

Canterbury City Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to renew its Gorrell Valley and Stour Parks (GVSP) Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which would be in force for the next three years.

PSPOs help to stop nuisance behaviour that affects the quality of life of other people.

A PSPO is an official measure that is enforceable as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014.

PSPOs can be used to protect the public from behaviour which is persistent and unreasonable and is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the area.

Police officers and Canterbury City Council enforcement officers currently have powers to remove and dispose of relevant items and issue an on-the-spot fine through fixed penalty notices where appropriate.

If people don’t follow the rules outlined in the PSPO, police officers and council enforcement officers can issue them with a fixed penalty notice of up to £100. The council looks to educate and engage through signage and interactions with enforcement a last resort as per its policy and government guidance.

The council is proposing to introduce a new PSPO which would apply in the Stour Parks and Gorrell Valley areas shown on the maps below. This area has been covered by a PSPO previously which can be viewed on the website.

The activities that are proposed to be included in the PSPO include:

• urinating or defecating in any public space inside the Restricted Area
• acting in a disorderly manner so as to cause harassment, alarm, nuisance or distress to others in the locality
• light or fuel any open fire
• using, lighting or discarding any barbeque
• bringing or being in possession of any catapult
• drinking if related to anti-social behaviour when asked to do so by an authorised officer.

We want to know what you think about these proposals and why.

If you have evidence of any of the activities being a problem, please tell us about it – this is really important, as it can only be included in a PSPO if we can prove that:

• it is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality
• the impact of the activity is persistent or continuing
• the impact of the activity is unreasonable

Have your say

We value your views on this proposal, which means removing some activities previously listed in the last GVSP PSPO.

This survey provides information on specific schedules in the current PSPO and asks if you have experienced them, what that experience was like and the impact it had on your quality of life.

This will help the council make an informed decision on what should and should not be included in the PSPO going forward.

Tell us what you think by completing our questionnaire by 5pm on Monday 11 November.

Alternatively, you can email your comments to consultations@canterbury.gov.uk or write to Consultations Team, Canterbury City Council, 14 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2UR.

Paper copies of the questionnaire are available on request. If you need a paper copy, please contact Victoria Asimaki, Principal Policy Officer (Engagement) at consultations@canterbury.gov.uk.

If you would like to see what questions you will be asked before you start filling in the survey, you can see a list of the questions.

We are also holding two public events where council officers will be giving a presentation and holding a question and answer session about proposals. Details of these events are listed below:

• Wednesday 25 September, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, at Whitstable Umbrella Centre, Whitstable, CT5 1DD
• Thursday 24 October, from 6pm, at Tower House, Westgate Gardens, Canterbury, CT1 2DB

If you would like to attend any of these events, please let us know by emailing consultations@canterbury.gov.uk and specify which event you will be attending.

All the feedback we receive will be reported to councillors to consider in December this year before a decision is taken as to whether to bring the PSPO into effect.

Published: 9 September 2024