Following public consultation, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet will now consider the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order to reduce the risk of moorland fires.
Recent fires at nearby Marsden Moor and Ilkley Moor caused a great deal of damage to many acres of moorland and destroyed precious wildlife habitats.
Thankfully, and on the back of significant partnership work, Calderdale has not recently been affected by serious moorland fires. However, the Council and its partners recognise the increasing risk of fire and the urgent need to take additional preventative action to protect the borough’s distinctive rural areas and moorland.
Calderdale Council is working with Calderdale’s Community Safety Partnership in pursuing stricter prevention methods through the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The Order would prohibit the use of barbecues and lighting of fires in defined areas of the countryside.
A formal consultation into the introduction of this order closed on Tuesday 4 June and feedback has been reviewed. The response from local people and community groups was overwhelmingly positive and members of the Council’s Cabinet will now consider officer recommendations to adopt the PSPO.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Susan Press, said:
“We want people to enjoy our beautiful countryside, but we also have a duty to protect it and it’s important people enjoy our moorland responsibly.
“The introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order would reduce the likelihood and impact of wildfires and protect the landscape that makes Calderdale a unique place to live, work and visit.”
If approved by Cabinet, the PSPO would come into force from midnight on Tuesday 18 June 2019 and would last for three years. It would be enforced by Council officers and West Yorkshire Police.
Protecting Calderdale’s distinctive landscape is a key part of the Vision 2024 for Calderdale, and the Council is committed to working with partners ensure Calderdale’s countryside remains so special.
Where do we want to be by 2024? How will the Calderdale of 2024 be different from the place it is now? What ambitions do we share? Join the conversation by following #VisionCdale2024 on social media and visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision.
The introduction of the PSPO will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 18 June at Halifax Town Hall, starting at 6pm.