Oswestry school may rethink playing field ruling in dog mess row
A school in Oswestry which closed its playing fields to the public because of dog owners failing to pick up their pet's mess could reverse its decision following calls from nearby residents.
Bosses at Oswestry School closed Maes-y-Llan playing fields in February amid concerns for pupil safety due to dog walkers not picking up after their pooches.
However, following pleas from local dog walkers, deputy mayor of Oswestry Councillor Paul Milner will meet headteacher Julian Noad on Friday to discuss a way forward for all parties.
Councillor Milner said: "This is an important bit of green space for local people, especially elderly residents who live nearby who are unable to walk as far as the Racecourse to walk their dogs. This space is vital for them, and following their calls for some sort of resolution I will be meeting with the headteacher to discuss this.
"It's important that the resolution is accepted by both parties.
"I think it's good of the school to engage with us. I feel it's important that there's a good relationship between the school and local residents."
Councillor Milner said he believes that if the school overturns its decision there would be conditions in place, such as dogs remaining on leads in some areas of the field.
He said: "I will know more after Friday but I think the key here really is clean up your dog's mess. I know 99.5 per cent of walkers were responsible but that minority need to take notice because that's what prompted the school's decision."
Announcing the decision to close off the field to the public earlier this year, headteacher Mr Noad said it was a "shame" but pupil and staff safety was the priority.
At the time he said there had been a growing number of occurrences of dog waste being left on the children's play area, and adding to the frustration staff members were regularly having to remove plastic bags by hand containing dog mess which were being left on the fields or in the hedgerows.
In February he said: "Sadly it's time for a clampdown on public use. This has been going on for quite some time now and it just can't carry on. It is a danger to children's health but not only our children, we have children visiting from other schools playing matches here.
"It's a shame because it is the minority, we do have so many considerate and sensible people that walk their dogs here but we have to put pupil and staff safety first."
The public are currently still able to use the existing footpath between the gate from Penylan Lane and another to Trefonen Road.
