Bestwood by-laws given green light

Nottinghamshire County Council have defended their decision apply for by-laws at Bestwood Country Park that could prevent people singing and flying kites.

Fires in the past and a number of anti-social issues prompted the decision to take action in a bid to protect the park and its facilities.

“It is not our intention to discourage visitors or interfere with their normal enjoyment of the countryside,” said Gareth Broome, countryside team manager, at Nottinghamshire County Council. “By-laws provide a deterrent, increasing the authority of park staff to tackle minor nuisances such as unauthorised fishing, fires and camping.

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“Other country parks and local nature reserves under the council’s control have by-laws in place for this reason.”

The Government set out the legal procedure for the adoption of local by-laws and they have provided the model set of country park by-laws that local authorities can choose to introduce.

“Park by-laws are traditionally a means of discouraging nuisance behaviours and minor anti-social behaviour which assists park managers, park rangers and local police in their job,” addedMr Boome. “The subject of by-laws has been discussed with park users and stakeholders with the Bestwood Development Group, an informal group of local park users and stakeholders.”

The model set of by-laws will be advertised for public inspection. This will give the public chance to comment and express their opinions to be taken into account, before the chosen set of by-laws for Bestwood are forwarded to the Government for confirmation if no objections are raised.