WORKERS are being dive bombed by gulls as they take their lunch breaks in Devizes and new pest control measures mean there’s little the town council can do about it.

The birds are causing havoc near the Hopton Industrial Estate in the north-east of the town and elsewhere people are complaining of disturbed sleep and mess. The town council believes there is a risk to public safety.

A previous bid to cut their numbers was denied by Natural England, which says noise, nuisance and mess are not reasons to grant a licence.

Now it is pleading with the body to be allowed to bring in the measures.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

The new rules were introduced following pressure from wildlife campaigner Chris Packham and the council says the process for obtaining a licence is tortuous and resource-hungry.

Recreation committee chairman Nigel Carter said: “These are seagulls, not land gulls. There are some real horror stories from people, and the increase in numbers really does undermine people’s wellbeing.

“The legislation does tie our hands somewhat. I do not know where the next step is for an answer, we will have to wait and see if the application is successful.

“If it is denied, then it will give people a mandate to go to Natural England and ask more questions as to why.”

Opponents to the rule-change say it stifles local councils and makes it more difficult to clamp down on pests problems.

Council officers have set their focus specifically on the impact on the mental health of residents and business owners caused by sleep deprivation because of the influx of herring and lesser black backed gulls during the period from February to June last year.

A Natural England spokesman said: “All birds are protected by law, so to control them requires a licence. Due to their poor conservation status, the two gull species which are a common sight in many English towns can longer be controlled under the conditions of the general licences. There remains, however, provision for Natural England, as the licensing authority, to grant individual licences for control.

“As with all licensing, culling should be a last resort. Applicants must be able to show in their applications that they have considered or attempted all appropriate non-lethal alternatives. This enables us to consider whether lethal control is a proportionate and effective response. Often, reasons cited for control fall into the category of public nuisance, so we also ask applicants to submit integrated management plans to support more strategic and coordinated approaches.”

If their application is approved by Natural England, a series of visits will be made in April to fly a hawk and to clear nests and eggs from the affected roofs in the area of Folly Road, the Garden Trading Estate and Hopton Industrial Estate.