Dogs on Lead: Designated Areas

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, legacy Councils designated 'dogs on lead' areas following statutory consultation in 2013. Over the past year, Ards and North Down Borough Council has reviewed these areas to ensure adequate signage. Where signage is deemed sufficient, fines are now being issued after a period of advice, warning patrols, and pop-up advisory stalls.

Enforcement patrols began on 25th November 2024, and since then, five fixed penalties have been issued for this offence. Where further areas are under consideration for designation they will be subject to public consultation. Officers continue to monitor existing areas, with any changes subject to statutory consultation and Council approval.

The existing 'dogs on lead' orders include a mix of permanent areas, seasonal beaches, and 'on lead by direction' areas. Additionally, Londonderry Park has its own specific orders. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £80 are only issued where sufficient signage is present.

Details of the designated areas can be found below;

Dog on Leads (Promenades and Gardens) Order 2013

Ballyholme Promenade
Bangor Seafront and Piers
Bangor Seafront Gardens
Bangor Sportsplex
Marine Gardens, Bangor
Pickie Fun Park
Seapark Recreational Grounds
Bangor Castle Walled Garden
Ward Park
Balloo Wetlands

Dog Exclusion (Playgrounds) Order 2013

Bangor Sportsplex
Ballymenoch Park, Holywood
Bloomfield Play Area
Chester Park, Bangor
Conlig
Craigantlet
Green Road, Breezemount
Harbour Amenity Area, Groomsport
High Street, Holywood
Kilcooley, Owneroe Drive, Bangor
Luke's Pint, Bangor
Jackson's Road, Holywood
Pickie Fun Park, Bangor (playground area)
Rathgill, Bangor
Seapark Playground, Holywood
Springwell Crescent, Groomsport
Ward Park Playground, Bangor

Dogs on Leads by Direction (Parks and Playing Fields) Order 2013

Arras Park, Bangor
Linear Park, Bangor
Ballyholme Park, Bangor
Ballymenoch Park, Holywood
Brice Park, Bangor
Castle Park, Bangor
Connor Park, Bangor
Crawfordsburn Glen, Crawfordsburn
Glenlyon Park, Holywood
Ker Wood East, Carnalea
Ker Wood West, Carnalea
North Down Coastal Path from Swineley Point to Wilson's Point
Seapark, Holywood
Skipperstone Glen, Bangor
Stricklands Glen, Bangor

In May 2015 the Council agreed to propose to introduce the following Dog Control Orders for Londonderry Park, Newtownards, namely:

The Dogs Exclusion (Londonderry Park, children's play area and sports pitches etc.) Order 2015
The Dogs on Leads (Londonderry Park, path networks and car parks etc) Order 2015
The Dogs on Leads by Direction (Londonderry Park) Order 2015
Londonderry Park Dog Control Orders

You can read more about Seasonal Dog Orders here: Seasonal Dog Control Orders