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A controversial change to a dog ban on Whitby beach is set to be overturned following a public outcry.

Scarborough Council is set to revert to the former boundaries for the dog-free zone after changes were introduced last year .

The area where dogs could not go during the summer season was extended by around 150 yards in 2018.

But dog-walkers complained, saying the steps they now had to use to get onto the sand was not safe.

The ban previously came into effect at a slipway where the town’s beach chalets ended.

In the change, the dog ban zone was referred to as ending at “the end of the beach chalets”.

(Image: Google Maps.)

Opponents said that since the previous ban more chalets had been built, meaning the no-go zone had been extended - leaving dog owners with a steep set of steps to negotiate and no access for anyone with restricted mobility.

An online campaign was started and the council agreed to consult the public again on the changes.

In total a record 1,249 people replied to the second consultation, compared to just 314 for the first.

Almost 70% said they disagreed with the change of location.

Speaking last November, Cabinet member for Public Health and Housing, Cllr Bill Chatt (ind), said he was “pleased” the restriction would be moved back to its original location.

However, he stressed the change in location had not been made in error.

He said: “[It is] not that a mistake had happened, we carried out a proper consultation, we consulted with people and people chose not to get involved in that consultation.”

Following the second consultation, a number of other changes were proposed in Scarborough, including where dogs could and could not be on leads.

These changes will be deferred to be examined further after Cllr Chatt said he had “grave concerns” about some of the changes as they related to playing fields and play parks.