PLANS to ban dogs all year round from part of Sandbanks beach look set to go out to public consultation.

Borough of Poole is proposing a completely dog free zone on a 321m stretch of Sandbanks’ Blue Flag award-winning beaches.

Most of the town’s beaches have a seasonal ban on dogs from May until September, except to the east of Branksome Chine beach office to the Bournemouth boundary, and from the Western end of Sandbanks promenade to the Haven Hotel.

Should this plan go forward the area in front of the pavilion and car parks at Sandbanks would become the first beach in Poole to have the year round ban.

According to a report, which came before the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the move follows “an increasing number of complaints regarding dogs causing a nuisance to beach visitors and fouling beaches during the winter period.”

It points to a “significant minority of owners who ignore the health and safety of others” and the bylaws already in place which require them to clean up after their pets on the beach.

A similar plan in Bournemouth for a year-round dog free zone for the main beach near Bournemouth Pier provoked fierce opposition from dog lovers – and was eventually dropped.

Clive Smith, head of leisure services, Borough of Poole, said: “We want to ensure a balance between areas available for dog walkers and those concerned about dogs and who want to enjoy the beach freely, without worry or interruption.”

The proposal will go forward to Cabinet, and, if approved, go out to a detailed public consultation.