RESIDENTS will be asked again for their views on a summer ban on dogs using part of the beach at The Dip in Felixstowe.In February, Suffolk Coastal advertised its intention to introduce a five-month ban of any dogs on a section of the award-winning beach.

RESIDENTS will be asked again for their views on a summer ban on dogs using part of the beach at The Dip in Felixstowe.

In February, Suffolk Coastal advertised its intention to introduce a five-month ban of any dogs on a section of the award-winning beach. However, there was an error in the public notice and the Council will now decide whether to formally begin the process again.

"We received a number of complaints about dog fouling on the beach and the proposed restriction would give families the option of visiting a dog-free area during the main summer months. This should help us both keep The Dip attractive to visitors and preserve our chances of winning cleanliness awards for the beach," said Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the Environment.

"What we wanted to put in place is a similar by-law to that which since 1989 has successfully restricted dogs on the stretch of beach between the Pier and the Spa Pavilion where it is now an offence to walk a dog there between May 1 and September 30 each year," added Cllr Nunn.

But February's public notice did not make it clear exactly what part of the beach the ban would cover and therefore the Government could not have approved the request for a by-law.

The by-law will be redrafted and will have to be approved by the council before it can be readvertised. May next year is the earliest date the ban could come into effect.

If the Council approves it, then an advert will be placed advising the public the proposal to introduce a new by-law, and give them a date by which to write to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Responses already submitted will be sent to DEFRA.