Help Us Protect Off-Lead Dog Walking at Paddington Old Cemetery

by Cordelia Uys

Dogs of Paddington Old Cemetery (DOPOC) is a community group formed to represent the regular users of Paddington Old Cemetery, where dogs have been walked off-lead for over 30 years. Recently, Brent Council imposed a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) requiring all dogs to be kept on leads at all times within the cemetery. We believe this decision is unfair, unnecessary, and was made without properly considering the community’s views.

The Issue:

For decades, Paddington Old Cemetery has been a safe, welcoming green space where responsible dog owners have exercised their dogs off-lead—allowing them to run, play, and socialise. This has had numerous benefits: dogs stay healthier, a strong and vibrant local community has developed, and the cemetery has become safer for women, children, and other visitors.

Despite this, Brent Council has enforced a blanket “dogs on leads” policy. This was done even though a majority (61%) of respondents to the Council’s own consultation wanted dogs to remain off-lead.

We believe the Council’s decision fails to respect the Gunning Principles, which require fairness, transparency, and meaningful consultation in public decision-making. Furthermore, there are concerns that the Council is planning to convert Paddington Old Cemetery into a traditional burial ground with new graves—despite it being the only protected heritage cemetery in Brent. These intentions have not been made clear to the public and appear to be driven by economic motives, not community benefit.

Our Goal:

We are seeking legal advice to challenge the PSPO and protect the community’s right to continue walking dogs off-lead in Paddington Old Cemetery. We’ve engaged the law firm Lester Aldridge to explore our legal options, including a potential judicial review of the Council’s decision.

How Your Donation Will Help:

Your donations will help fund the legal work needed to challenge this decision. The process includes:

  • A full review of the Council’s decision and supporting documents, with attention to whether consultation standards (Gunning/Sedley Principles) were met

  • A legal conference to discuss possible grounds for challenge

  • A written summary of legal options and the timeline for action

  • If appropriate, preparing a legal brief for experienced Counsel, Katherine Barnes, and seeking her opinion on the strength of the case

  • Any further legal steps, such as formal proceedings, subject to further cost estimates

  • Your contribution will help cover:

  • Initial legal review and consultation

  • Preparation of legal arguments and evidence

  • Legal representation and court fees

About DOPOC:

We are a group of concerned local residents who believe in responsible dog ownership and protecting valuable green spaces. We’re not campaigning for dogs to be off-lead in all Brent parks—only to preserve a long-standing, respectful tradition in this unique and special space.

Meet Our Legal Team:

We are represented by Matt Gilks, a solicitor with over 20 years of experience in planning, environmental, and administrative law. He has advised on PSPOs and is well placed to guide us through this process.

Call to Action:

Please support our campaign to keep Paddington Old Cemetery a welcoming space for dogs and their owners. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference. With your help, we can challenge this unjust policy and preserve the character, community, and safety of our cherished green space.