The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Move to reverse SNH decision over gulls’ protection delayed
MONTROSE: Local councillor seeking exemption for towns and villages at risk from bird ‘menace’
An Angus councillor is to launch a bid for local gull hotspots to be excluded from new rules giving greater protection to the birds.
Montrose independent Tommy Stewart said he fears an increase in the aerial menace after councillors were forced in to a decision to drop the authority’s nest and egg removal scheme for domestic properties.
Environmental chiefs said a decision by Scottish Natural Heritage to remove all gull species from the general licences which allowed the widespread control measure meant the scheme was no longer viable.
SNH upped the protection level over concerns about the birds’ declining status, but has said councils are still free to apply for individual licences to tackle problem areas.
Angus environmental health boss Stewart Ball said he foresaw problems in the practical measures which could be taken to “seagull-proof” properties and councillors agreed to drop the nest and egg scheme from April 1.
Mr Stewart had been due to ask tomorrow’s full meeting of Angus Council to exempt hotspots from the legislation.
However, with the full council cancelled yesterday and uncertainty over future meetings, the bid may now come too late for this breeding season.
The councillor previously backed calls for a gull cull to be considered in the wake of an increase in local incidents, including one which led to a resident being hospitalised.
“These birds are a menace and my motion asks for the chief executive to write to SNH and Cosla to highlight the problems seagulls cause to residents and visitors,” he said.
“I want to see an exemption to the legislation considered for towns and villages identified as being at risk from stopping the removal of seagull nests and eggs.
“I also probably think the public may still be a bit in the dark on this one and are thinking that they will be able to have the nests removed, but it’s not going to happen.
“This is only going to get worse, and I think we should be allowed to put in place measures which have at least a chance of containing the problem.”