Most of the proposed changes to local public spaces protection orders have been supported in a public consultation – with the exception of cycling on Weymouth seafront.

The orders give the council powers to control a range of anti-social activities from drinking in public, begging, beach camping, fires on open land and feeding sea birds.

Existing orders for Dorchester, Bridport, West Bay, Lyme Regis and Weymouth are due to expire in August.

Breaches can result in a fixed penalty fine of £100 or prosecution in the courts.

One of the most contentious items has been the continuation of the Weymouth orders to stop cycling on the promenade between May and September from 10am until 5.30pm, although it does not apply to children under 12.

The consultation uncovered mixed views –with no overall majority for or against.

Concerns were raised about a lack of enforcement, the dates and timings of the restrictions and the areas covered. Some did not want the ban at all and would prefer cycle access all year round or a clearly defined area for cycling.

Worries were also raised about scooters, rollerblades, skateboards and mobility scooters with claims of a lack of consistency, insufficient signage and worries over a proposed exemption for children who are accompanied by their parents. Additional areas proposed included the beach wall to Overcome.

Other issues raised in Weymouth included car racing along Preston Road and Bowleaze Coveway, camping in vehicles, the use of CCTV, late night licensing, policing and court sentencing.

The new orders, if approved, will see the closure of Trinity Passage with gates fitted to prevent anti-social activities – a measure which won 75 per cent support.

Among the general responses to the proposals is one from the National Council for Civil Liberties which has asked that all the orders relating to anti-social behaviour be dropped, claiming they are 'unreasonable' as they target vulnerable people, especially the poor and homeless. The group say the proposals to stop most beach camping is also unfair on the homeless and could impact on the rights of Gypsies and Travellers.

In the Bridport area measures to tackle anti-social behaviour is proposed to be extended from this year to include Jubilee Green, the community orchard, St Mary's Church and Foundry Lane.

A council report says 78.5 per cent who took part in the consultation on the issues were in support of the alcohol provision and 82.3 per cent in support of the anti-social behaviour element.

Similar levels of support were reported in other areas for similar measures.

In Dorchester the only new measure being proposed is to prevent the feeding of gulls which 84.4 per cent said they backed.

A report to go before councillors next week says additional comments were received in Dorchester around police patrols, cycle lanes, noisy car exhausts and car racing, unemployment, substance misuse, parental responsibility, education, begging and youth boredom – although none of them are issues which fall within scope of protection order proposals.

The draft order to prevent fires and barbecues on forest and heathland in various locations around Ferndown, St Leonards, West Moors, Wareham, Purbeck, Puddletown, Affpuddle and Moreton received the most support – with 94.5 per cent backing it.

Many people said the proposals did not go far enough and wanted other areas of open land also included.

The Urban Heaths Partnership has proposed additional areas which it believes would benefit from the restriction and is concerned that including some open land, but not others, may lead to a displacement effect. The National Trust has also asked for Studland Beach to be included.

Dorset Council says the proposed additional areas would require a separate consultation in their own right and therefore will not be considered for inclusion in the current order, but may be brought back later.