Scarborough's Grand Hotel in move to oust noisy gulls

Gulls find the hotel's ornate exterior a comfortable alternative to nearby cliffs

Scarborough's Grand Hotel is to be fitted with anti-seagull netting after complaints that the noisy birds are disturbing the guests.

Councillors approved plans to fix nets to the Grade II-listed building to deter the gulls from nesting.

Hotel general manager David Aylott said: "We've had guests who had birds tapping on their windows at four or five in the morning."

A council report said the bird's droppings were also a health concern.

But it is the noise from the gulls which are causing the biggest headache at the hotel.

"Quite a few guests who've got a sea view have been asking for back rooms so they don't have the noise from the gulls," said Mr Aylott.

Ornate facades

It is hoped that measures to deter the birds will encourage them to move to the natural cliffs, a short distance up the coast.

The building's ornate features have presented an ideal opportunity for kittiwakes [gulls] to nest on annually and created a serious infestation Jill Low, Scarborough Council planning manager

However, plans to fix the netting to the Victorian hotel's ornate east and north facades have ruffled feathers at Scarborough Civic Society.

"The Grand Hotel has existed for over 100 years and in that time the owners have, presumably, controlled the seagull infestation without resorting to such an invasive solution," the society said.

"The problem would appear to be a lack of basic maintenance and not a real current threat.

"This is an important listed building and a focal point for visitors to Scarborough.

Opponents fear the netting will harm the listed hotel's appearance

"It is, therefore, essential that any method of restricting the building's use by sea gulls is invisible to the passing pedestrian and hotel guests."

In contrast, the Scarborough Borough Council's planning manager Jill Low said she believed the netting was needed to help preserve the building.

"The building's ornate features have presented an ideal opportunity for kittiwakes [gulls] and feral pigeons to nest on annually and created a serious infestation," said her report to the council.

"The birds return annually and remain on the building for up to eight months, creating a general nuisance, and health and safety concerns.

"The damage caused from the nesting and guano would further deteriorate the historic building's fabric and subsequently harm the listed features that give this property its status."