Dog walkers furious over plan for cows at Waterhall in Brighton

People who walk their dogs at Waterhall golf course, in Brighton, have voiced their dismay at plans to introduce sheep and cattle at the green space.

Members of the public plan to protest Brighton and Hove City Council’s plans, which could see an end to dogs running free.

They are frustrated that they will have to keep their pets on leads if farm animals are introduced to the fields near Westdene, which closed as a golf course in 2020.

The council say that since the golf course closed there has been a huge increase in the number of people walking dogs at the site. 

Owners can currently let their dogs run free at the popular spot near Westdene

Steve Nobbs, leading the campaign, said: “We had a lady the other day who nearly burst into tears, she was saying it affected her mental health.

“She got a dog and didn’t realise how much trouble he was going to be.

"She found the land that’s totally enclosed, where she can let the dog off and now he’s got a good quality of life.

“There hasn’t been a lot of transparency. In effect, they’re trying to ban the dogs, because we’ll have to keep them on a lead.”

Steve continued to explain that a number of dog waste bins had recently been removed from the area.

He said his campaign is in the early stages of challenging the plans.

The dog-walking at Waterhall golf club site neighbours Devil's Dyke

Members of the public are reportedly being asked to use GPS technology to monitor where the cows are. 

However, there are fears this will be inaccessible to some people.

“You could go up there with the GPS tracker, and it could tell you where the cattle are. But some of the elderly people walking up there – they wouldn’t be able to use that technology,” added Steve.

“But then restricting that you have to have your dog on a lead anyway? Well, that’s not really a dog walk, let’s be honest.

“All we’re saying is, we want some transparency – what’s happening and when.”

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The deputy chairman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, Councillor Jamie Lloyd, said:

“Waterhall is extremely rich in wildlife and is one of our very few remaining areas of species rich chalk grassland.

“It is a truly unique ecosystem that supports a fantastic array of wildlife including dormice, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths and wildflowers. 

“There has been a big increase in the use of the site by dog walkers since the golf course ceased operation.

“Dog walking companies are exercising as many as 80 dogs at a time up there, with a total of around 1,000 dogs a day on the site.

“This has led to a marked decrease in unique species such as dormice and reptiles that are impacted by regular disturbance.

“There is also a problem with paths being messed up by dog poo – which also negatively affects the unique grassland ecology and threatens the whole wilding process. 

“The proposal for having dogs on leads would be in line with the National Park’s Take the Lead campaign.

“Cattle will be grazing on the site. I think all dog walkers understand the importance of keeping their dogs on leads when walking through a farm or by a field with livestock.

“We want people to understand why this is important. Our environment, transport and sustainability committee will be considering the proposal at its next meeting on March 15.”