Bowyers - what about the pigeons?

Plans for the redevelopment of the Bowyers site in Trowbridge were turned down by the planning committee on Wednesday June 20th. However the planners had provided a list of the conditions which would be needed were the scheme to be approved.

For years this part of Trowbridge has been plagued by pigeons, which feed on the scraps left by the human residents as well as those put out deliberately by a number of ladies who like to feed the birds. Officialdom has been the enemy of the birds and the ladies, and various schemes have been put forward to get rid of them including shooting and poisoning (birds) and prosecution (ladies). None of these have been successful, and the flocks still swarm around the roofs of Wicker Hill.

A new development of a supermarket, cinema and fast food outlets would provide new roosting and feeding opportunities for the pigeons, so the planners had to decide how to resolve the problem. They conceded defeat by the birds. Here's their advice to the applicant:

"Due to the persistent problem of pigeons in the vicinity, the developer is advised that vulnerable areas of the site are adequately proofed against roosting and perching birds and may wish to consider providing a dedicated feeding area."

"The best thing to do with pigeons is to put a cat amongst them." - ancient Chinese proverb.