Call for ban on deadly netting

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is calling for a ban on needless netting to stop birds and animals nesting in hedgerows and trees near building sites.

Nets are placed over hedgerows and trees to stop birds nesting, but can trap birds and mammals, like hedgehogs. Creatures have been found in distressed states and can die or be severely injured in the nets.

Developers are saying that this is standard practice and there has been at least one reported case of netting around a development in Lancashire.

A petition to ban the practice has since garnered support from over 327,000 people.

Chief Executive of The Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Anne Selby said: “Netting of hedges prior to a site being developed for buildings seems to be an increasingly common practice and it is a depressing sight that can lead to birds becoming trapped or tangled up. 

“Some developers do it because, after years of campaigning by organisations including The Wildlife Trusts, it is illegal to knowingly damage or destroy an occupied nest even if you have planning permission to remove a hedge.

“Our view is that, if hedgerow removal must happen and has planning permission it should be done outside the bird breeding season. This would mean there is no chance of birds having active nests, so no-one even thinks about using nets.  

“We need to raise the levels of awareness amongst developers of these issues so that the issue of timing is considered right at the start.”

The Wildlife Trusts work across the UK to influence planning laws and actual developments seeking to minimise damage to wildlife and maximise creation of new habitats. 

Anne added: “As part of this, we always suggest that existing habitats such as hedges be kept wherever possible and are woven into new developments. We hope this will become standard practice as new building rules to deliver wildlife gains come into effect.” 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government responded to the petition on 10 April, saying: “Any development project must consider the impact on local wildlife and take precautionary action to protect habitat. Bird netting should be kept to a minimum, and used only to help protect birds during development.”

If anyone believes developers are netting trees or bushes in their area, they can contact the Wildlife Trust on info@lancswt.org.uk

You can sign the petition here:

• petition.parliament.uk/signatures/66543249