Bid to stop pigeons pooing in historic Chester Water Tower

Construction and property consultants Summers-Inman, on behalf of Severn Trent Water, have submitted plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council for anti-bird netting to be placed on gaps where pigeons have been getting into the 19th century, Grade II-listed water tower, at the Boughton Water Treatment Works.

In a design and access statement, it is said that an inspection was carried out by Summers Inman LLP at the site and found pigeons were entering the building through several locations. As a result "excrement is present on the inside, causing unhealthy and unpleasant conditions for staff".

Pigeon excrement has been building inside the Water Tower at Boughton, Chester. Picture: Planning document.

It added: "Birds are present within the building. The excrement that they deposit is both unpleasant for site staff, but more importantly is not a healthy environment to work within."

The pigeons are said to have entered through gaps around the junction between new steel roof sheets and the steel tower upstand/wall, as well as gaps at the decorative masonry corbelling, about two-thirds of the way up the structure.

Planners are hoping to fill the gaps with 19mm anti-bird netting that will not be visible from outside but would prvent birds from getting inside.

The statement concludes: "It is felt these preventative measures will halt access into the building from pigeons to provide a much-improved working environment and ease maintenance."

• Comments on the application can be made until April 1 on the council's online planning portal, with planning reference 21/00244/LBC, using the online comment facility or by writing to Development Management, 4 Civic Way Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 0BE.