Newtownards pigeon feeders could be fined £500 in new by-law

A new by-law could leave pigeon feeders in Newtownards, County Down, in a flap.

Last week, an Ards and North Down Council committee instructed a solicitor to draft a by-law controlling the feeding of pigeons in Conway Square.

Under current legislation, those who fail to comply could be hit with a £500 fine.

But it would only apply to the council-owned section of the square, which is about 60% of the area.

In order for the entire square to be covered, an application would need to be made to the Department for Infrastructure.

Local Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor Stephen McIlveen said large flocks of pigeons have been an ongoing problem for several years.

"I've received a lot of complaints from members of the public," he said.

"People who were afraid to actually come into the square because of their fear of birds, because these pigeons would come down and swoop very low."

Councillor Stephen McIlveen says one restaurant near the square stopped serving food outside due to the pigeon problem

He said the problem was caused by those bringing large bags of feed on "an almost industrial scale".

"We're not looking to fine people," Mr McIlveen said.

"We do just want everybody to be able to enjoy the square as much as they can and really just deter people from doing this because everybody should be able to enjoy the square as much as they can - it's a public place."

'Flying pests'

The issue has also been felt by local business owners in the square, like Riccardo Cafolla.

"They are a nuisance, they are flying pests," he said.

Mr Cafolla, who runs the café Cafolla's, said there have been a few occasions when the pigeons have entered his premises.

"On good days we would sell our ice cream and you'll have both doors open and birds do fly in," he said.

"It does create a bit of a panic let's just say."

Riccardo Cafolla says that summer time causes particular problems for the square's goers

Ards and North Down Borough Council passed a motion in 2022 to address the pigeon problem, citing public health issues and a desire to encourage outdoor eating and entertainment in the square.

However, it has only started to take flight with the erection of advisory signs in an attempt to stop feeding.

• Man fined £150 for feeding pigeons in Luton

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A similar by-law was introduced to London's Trafalgar Square in 2003 by former Mayor Ken Livingstone, with feeders at risk of a £500 fine.

'It's a family-friendly thing'

But not everyone is happy to be pigeon-holed by the council.

May feeds the birds every Sunday and is worried about the future of her feathered friends.

"They can't walk into a shop, a pigeon, and buy bacon and eggs, so surely someone has to feed them," she told BBC News NI.

"They know me. I'm only to walk in there and they recognise [the bag] and down they come, sit on my shoulder, sit on my head."

Some local people say they would be disappointed to see the by-law come into action

Another woman said she held fond memories of feeding the Conway Square pigeons.

"I remember coming down as a kid with my granddad and used to bring the old bread down. It's just a family-friendly thing," she added.

"I think kids should be kids and it never done us any harm feeding the pigeons, so I think it should be kept."