Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO)

This prohibition is introduced to prevent land, habitats and for public safety reasons. While the act of metal detecting does not itself create a public safety risk, the resultant hole created does cause environmental damage, this may be to the Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area features or other protected/wildlife, local nature reserves including the ancient woodland of Bradley Woods or any parks and open spaces.

It also disturbs the local habitat and species in their own environment which may be protected, rare or locally important including local archaeology and scheduled Monuments.

In addition, all parks and open spaces are operational and require consideration of public health and safety. Unfilled holes are likely to cause injury or harm.

Introducing the PSPO is also supported for the following reasons:

1. There are laws concerning protected sites, and of particular importance within North East Lincolnshire and the whole Humber Estuary, is the Humber Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is also protected in law as a Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), International Wetland of Importance under the Ramsar Convention, and a European Marine Site (EMS).
2. The protected area within North East Lincolnshire is the whole of the coastline from the northern boundary in Immingham to the southern boundary at Tetney Marshes/Fitties car park.
3. There are also environmental concerns for habitats and species that can include seasonal variations, scheduled Monuments, registered archaeological sites, Priority Habitats and Species, Local Wildlife and Geological Sites.
4. All parks and open spaces in NELC ownership are operational and require consideration of public health and safety. Unfilled holes are likely to cause injury or harm.
5. Metal detecting is already prohibited under a byelaw. 
6. Public safety is at risk regarding unfilled holes, unexploded ammunition, shallow-capped land-fill sites.
7. A financial and reputational risk of insurance claims from non-backed filled holes and recovered detritus, and damage to grounds maintenance machinery.

You must apply for prior consent before your intended visit and provide proof of consent if you are asked for it. For more information see Prior Consent for Metal Detecting.