Dog walkers are being encouraged to carry on using Yateley Common, despite a stern lecture last week.

Senior ranger Ian Stoneman said people who let their dogs off leads during bird nesting season could face prosecution.

However, Councillor David Simpson, the chairman of Yateley Common Management Committee, went out of his way this week to offer an olive branch.

He said people should not be deterred from exercising their dogs on the common.

Cllr Simpson said dog walkers are valued and welcome across the common as they are frequently the first to alert rangers about problems such as fly-tipping.

“Rangers value the relationships they build with local people through these activities and the mutual benefits that arise,” he said.

“Ian Stoneman was merely stating the law and guidance from Natural England when saying dogs should be kept on a lead during the nesting season as it is a Special Protection Area (SPA) under both UK and European law.”

The laws protect three species - the Dartford Warbler, Nightjar and Woodlark during the nesting season.

"No signs"

He added: “Keeping dogs on leads during this time stops the birds being disturbed in their natural habitat.

“The fine for disturbing such habitat is a maximum of £20,000.

“I would reassure people that dog walkers are very welcome on Yateley Common, but to be respectful to the laws in place, otherwise you will be subject to a fine of up to £20,000. So please keep dogs on a lead during bird nesting season.

“With co-operation we can help save the habitat of these three birds.

“Without these birds, Yateley Common becomes just another piece of land subject to development pressures.”

Yateley Common is protected from developers through its SPA status and the laws that protect such areas.

Many dog walkers that use the common said they were unaware of the stiff penalties for allowing dogs off leads.

Mark Kerr, of Mayflower Drive, Yateley, said: “There are no signs saying this and many dogs are let off leads all the time. I would have thought the council would provide signs warning people not to do this.”

He added: “I don’t restrict my dogs and do not intend to.

“If there were warning signs then I would, but there aren’t.”

Cllr Simpson said erecting the signs would be costly and would put a huge strain on Yateley Common’s tiny budget.

But he hoped that a grant could cover the cost.

He said the issue of signs had been debated for years.

"Respect wildlife"

Some people argue that they unnecessarily clutter the countryside and attract vandalism.

However, rangers and the common management committee say they will do their best to prevent problems should there be money for signs.

Melissa Roberts, who lives in Yateley and walks her dog on the common, said: “As a dog owner, I can say that people with dogs are fairly restricted as to where they can go without causing other people any problems.

“In places like the common you do not get day trippers, and everyone you see there tends to be regulars.

“It is nice to be able to walk your dog off leads, but if it affects the wildlife, I think the common needs to be very clear with the rules and regulations.

“As long as people are made aware of it I’m sure they will respect the wildlife.

“I had absolutely no idea about this and it is not obvious to me that dogs should be kept on leads.

“Everyone that I have seen using the common lets their dog off leads.

“If the authorities want people to stick to the rules then they have to be made aware of the rules.”