SIR – Can anything be done to stop the growing menace of pigeon keeping in WGC/Hatfield? Not only are the large hen coops being built an eyesore but a large flock of pigeons flying around urban properties several times a day destroys the tranquillity of o

SIR - Can anything be done to stop the growing menace of pigeon keeping in WGC/Hatfield? Not only are the large hen coops being built an eyesore but a large flock of pigeons flying around urban properties several times a day destroys the tranquillity of our gardens and fouls our windows, footpaths, fences and roofs. They also devalue our property - who wants to look out on a large pigeon coop and have pigeons flying around and fouling their garden and property?!

I know of one property where there are 30 pigeons flying three times a day and I am told there are several others like this.

Many councils are at pains to get rid of pigeons, which are considered a pest - a 'flying rat' - but Welwyn and Hatfield are seemingly oblivious to this nuisance.

Their regulations are only concerned with hygiene and the welfare of the birds - the size of the coop and the number of pigeons flying out of it are unregulated. Keeping one or two pigeons in a small coop the size of a garden shed is one thing, keeping 20 or more, often in adjacent properties, is a public nuisance and should be curtailed.

WGC resident, name and address supplied.