SINGING in the summer could be curbed by the county council in new bylaws proposed for Bestwood Country Park.
Councillor John Knight, chairman of Nottingham County council's culture committee, is seeking approval from the full council meeting on Thursdayfor a raft of new rules for the park – which currently has no bylaws in place.
The list includes regulations to stop kites being flown, games being played and people singing too loudly, in what Councillor Knight believes will "discourage nuisance behaviours and minor anti-social behaviour".
The report to be presented to the council has been discussed with park users and stakeholders at meetings of Bestwood Development Group, where a number of local people preferred the idea of a voluntary code of behaviour, rather than bylaws.
But the park's managers said that a voluntary code would be "insufficient", and would give them "little tangible power" to take on nuisance behaviour.
Councillor Knight wrote: "[These bylaws] assist park managers, park rangers and local police in their job.
"Though the penalties for breaking bylaws are not high, they do provide a deterrent, increasing the authority of park staff to tackle minor nuisances such as unauthorised
fishing, fires and camping.
"Other country parks and local nature reserves under the council's control have bylaws in place for this reason."
Residents weren't against having rules, but favoured moderation over hard policies.
Bob Gow, a volunteer at the Bestwood Winding Engine House, thinks certain measures should be put in place if appropriate.
He said: "If people are misbehaving, having bylaws means you can fetch the police and do something about it rather than go through any long-drawn-out processes.
"I don't want to stop people from flying kites or having fun, but I see it as appropriate to deal with issues that could be dreadful for other users of the park."
Clive Robinson runs a hedge laying workshop at the park and agreed that some rules should be put in place.
But he believes that most of the park's visitors would adhere to them without the need of new laws.
He said: "Most areas like that need some basic rules in place and that is the same anywhere in the countryside.
"Dogs need to be kept under control, for example.
"But to most people who spend a lot of time or live and work in the countryside, these things are common sense.
"When I've been to the park the visitors always seem like sensible, considerate folks who are there to enjoy the park. You always get some who like to enjoy it in different ways but I think the majority are sensible."
Do you think that these new bylaws need to be put in force to keep people in check at Bestwood Country Park? Let us know at opinion@nottinghampost.com.
