People living in a modern Bath development are forced to live with “torturous sleep deprivation” as gulls surround the building.
Gulls are a significant problem in Bath, where the Georgian architecture that covers much of the city provides perfect places for the birds to nest. But even people living in the modern Riverside development are being plagued by the birds.
Gavin is a part of the resident association’s gull action group. Addressing Bath and North East Somerset Council as a public speaker at their full council meeting on 21st September, he said: “I moved to the Riverside development early last year but was simply not prepared for the serious impact that these creatures have upon me and on many other residents.”
“On the roof of the building adjacent to me, at the level of my windows and within a distance of no more than 50 feet, there are often 10 or 12 adult gulls.
“There are often four of five on my balcony, two on the parapet above me, and three of four on a second neighbouring building.”
The noise from the birds often wakes Gavin up at 3am and stops him from getting back to sleep.
He continued: “My health and wellbeing have suffered from lack of sleep, anxiety, and being unable to concentrate with windows open, even in the stifling heat of summer.”
“It has been impossible to escape the situation and I have had to seek refuge with friends and family.”
The Bath Riverside development’s management company had worked with the council’s gull officer Gordon Dugan to develop proofing measures, but Gavin said that the issue extended beyond the development’s own buildings.
Gulls are also showing “increasingly aggressive behaviour,” he warned.
He said: “I had a sandwich snatched from my hand, drawing blood; I have been hit on the head by a gull while walking; and I have witnessed a gull take ducklings from the canal.”
The birds and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, but Natural England can grant licences to control gulls such as through removing nests or eggs.
Gavin called on the council to engage with Natural England to allow them to do more to tackle gulls.
June Player, councillor for the Westmoreland ward which includes the Riverside development, commented: “Natural England is protecting all birds; but who is protecting the residents?”
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
