Town plans to shoot seagulls disturbing residents' sleep

Seagulls have become such a menace to shoppers and visitors in Cheltenham, Glos, that the radical proposal is being seriously investigated by councillors. The birds, whose screeching calls are causing sleepless nights for many local residents, could be culled in November if council officials approve the proposal. The plan was disclosed during a public meeting held in the town's municipal offices aimed at addressing the mounting problem. Addressing dozens of disgruntled residents, Denise Powell, environmental protection manager for Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "Shooting is something we are investigating.

"You have to set up a feeding station and you have to shoot down on them. This has to be in a secure area and not near members of the public." She said there would have to be three or four shooting sites because the birds would quickly learn to avoid one site. "We are investigating the pros and cons and have to take the negative side into account," she added. "For every person who would like us to do shooting, there are probably many out there who would not want us to do it." Mrs Powell said it would only be targeted at the lesser black-backed gull as the other type that flocks in Cheltenham, the herring gull, was protected.



She conceded that the last time the council considered the option it received many objections. But many residents at the meeting said they suffered sleep deprivation due to the seagulls and they were worried about the impact on businesses and tourism. Philippa Claridge, of Malvern Road, said she was regularly disturbed by gulls. She said: "My life at night is torment, it's just awful. From 3.30am, I am woken up by screeching gulls. I'm so fed up with having disturbed nights.

"I feel it's affecting my health. I can only guarantee an undisturbed night if I take a pill, which is no way to live." Paul Davies, of Overton Road, said he would advise against shooting due to the public relations implication. He said: "The other thing is nature abhors a vacuum, as soon as you shoot them, others arrive in their place." Nik Shelton, an RSPB spokesman, said: "The reason gulls come into towns and cities is because there is food. You can cull them, but it won't work because they will come back."