A PLANNED pigeon cull in Chester has now been cancelled following a public outcry, The Standard understands.

We reported this morning (Monday, July 15) that a letter had been sent by property management company Premier Estates to residents of Wharf View, near the canal close to the Telford's Warehouse pub.

It stated that a cull would take place on July 30, and even warned people that pigeon corpses may land on their balconies.

Pest control organisation Pest Buster, based in Cheshire, had been contracted to carry out the work using licensed guns.

However, many people objected to the birds being killed, including resident Donna Boden who organised an online petition named ‘Stop Chester’s Pigeon Massacre!’ that quickly attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

This newspaper subsequently heard that the cull had been cancelled due to the strength of local feeling.

People have posted screen grabs of an email from estates co-ordinator Emma Sant that says they “take feedback very seriously” and confirmed the “action had now been cancelled”.

The Standard has made repeated statement requests to the company today and has contacted Ms Sant directly for official confirmation.

None has yet been received.

However, Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed it has been informed of the cancellation of the planned cull.

In a statement, Cllr Karen Shore, Cabinet Member Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: “In cases such as this the Council would not be informed of planned works. We understand that the proposed cull has now been cancelled and we have offered our support to look at alternative options.

“Our Pest Control Team will now meet with the Premier Estates management team to discuss how to control numbers and future proof resident’s homes to help the situation.”

Despite the level of objection to the cull there were still many people who took to social media supporting the idea.

One woman said: “I don’t agree with killing in any form, but these pigeons have nested on my balcony and keep reproducing, it’s not fair to encourage them to be in an area that doesn’t affect your living situation but does others.”

And another said bluntly: “Good.bout time sumat was done vermin.”

Some people suggested that Ms Boden and others feeding the pigeons had actually created the problem.

Asked whether feeding birds is illegal in the area, the council spokesman added: "Feeding pigeons in this area is not breaking any law unless a large amount of food/grain is being used, in which case a littering enforcement fixed penalty notice may be issued, if witnessed by an officer or via CCTV.

"It is however on offence within the City Walls as there is a designated feeding zone in Chester (Kaleyards Car Park)."