Dog walkers on Elmbridge common land could be forced to keep their dogs on leads as the council works to create more heathland areas in the borough.

If the proposal, due to be discussed at the full council meeting on Wednesday, December 3, is passed, dogs on Esher Common and Oxshott Common would have to be on leads from April to June.

The aim is to protect ground nesting birds, although the Countryside Consultative Group said there was no evidence of heathland nesting on Esher Common.

Councillor Jimmy Cartwright, from Claygate, who owns three dogs, said: “I shall most certainly be making a stand against this.

“This is meant to be common land for all the people of Elmbridge.

“I’ll probably go somewhere else if this is passed because I’ll end up flat on my face if I have to keep three dogs on a lead.

“Who’s going to stand around and watch that people are sticking to the rules?”

Natural England advised Elmbridge Council to create more heathland to attract rare lizards such as the viviparous lizard and birds including the Dartford warbler.

A public consultation would be needed before changes could be put in place.

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