New bid to tackle pigeon peril at chapel ruins (From Brentwood Weekly News)

New bid to tackle pigeon peril at chapel ruins

7:00am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Local news

THE next step has been taken in a battle to rid a historic part of Brentwood of a flock of pigeons.

In June, Brentwood councillor Mark Reed featured in the Weekly News pleading with residents to stop feeding pigeons at the chapel ruins, in the centre of the High Street.

With the pigeons still causing a problem, the council has now put in signs to remind residents.

Brentwood Council and the town centre’s business group, Brentwood Renaissance Group, are keen to raise awareness of the issue and appeal to people not to feed the pigeons.

Mr Reed, chairman of the council’s retail, community and culture panel, said: “Obviously we’re not against pigeons at all, but there are so many of them and they are drawn to the chapel ruins because they are guaranteed food there.

“Their being there is damaging the fabric of the chapel and making the area unsightly.”

Mike Hardy, of Brentwood Renaissance, said: “You can already see damage is being done to the structure to the building and about five years ago a lot of money was spent on a revamp of the ruins and the area.”

The problem centres around the acid content in pigeon droppings which is starting to erode the ruins of the Chapel of St Thomas a Becket, which was a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.

Mr Reed said the council has also received complaints from residents and shoppers about the area becoming messy due to droppings on the ground.

Four signs were installed last week to gently remind residents not to feed the pigeons in the hope the birds will find another home.