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| Songbirds not welcome - the controversial exclusion netting has been described as 'standard practice' by the developer |
Partner Construction have applied to build 40 houses off Coates Avenue in Winterton, near Scunthorpe.
The Spennymoor-based firm fears that if blackbirds, robins, wrens or other species seek to build nests, the project will be held up by legislation designed to safeguard breeding birds.
But some birds have reportedly found a way into the netting and become trapped.
In an emotional tweet on his Twitter account, Jeremy Vine says: "This is how the human race ends.
"We cover hedges with nets.
"We get permission to build flats because there are no birds.
"Then we live in the flats and feel pleased that no birdsong wakes us in the morning.
"Then we die.
"Sometimes I hate us."
Meanwhile, Chris Packham has sounded similar outrage."This is so utterly abhorrent that I feel sick.
"What has become of us? What has become of the agencies who should protect life from this? If I were there, I’d rip those nets down."
The Lincolnshire case is far from unique. The practice of installing anti-wildlife measures has become increasingly prevalent at sites earmarked for development.
In other controversial cases, trees have been felled , ponds drained, wildflower meadows dug over and barns demolished lest they accommodate birds, bats or other creatures.
Partner Construction have defended their action, describing it as "standard industry practice" and insisting the netting - now vandalised - had been installed by a professional ecologist.
The ecology consultancy that has been engaged by Partner Construction is Leeds-based Brook Ecological.
In his preliminary appraisal of the site, staff member Christopher Shaw said nothing about any intention to install ant-bird netting but wrote: "The central hedgerow is likely to be used by low numbers of common garden and farmland birds during the nesting season whilst the arable fields may be of limited value to ground nesters such as skylarks.
"However, the proximity to housing - and thus to cats - reduces its suitability for the latter."
Mr Shaw says loss of hedgerow could be "mitigated through replacement planting along boundaries."
He also suggests the firm might consider installing nestboxes or creating bat crevice so as to ensure the housebuilding project does not have too much of an adverse impact on wildlife.
However, Partner has not said whether it will adopt this suggestion in the event its housebuilding applicaton is approved when it goes before North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee.
Parner, which since March last year has been a subsidiary of Fastflow Group (also based in the North-east), was formed in April 2011 since when its portfolio has grown to embrace the construction and aftercare of more than 80 developments throughout the country.
It also has a regional office in Derby which is understood to be where the controversial North Lincolnshire project is being processed.
States its website: "Our team is creative, enthusiastic, reliable and trustworthy, led by a board with more than 100 years' experience in construction and development.
"The quality of our product and track record are evidenced by an A1 rating awarded by both the NHBC and Premier Guarantee.
"There is a serious responsibility that comes with building new communities, a responsibility that is ever-present when we locate and develop our partnership schemes.
"We work closely in partnership with other bodies to deliver housing solutions that leave a lasting and valuable legacy for all stakeholders."
It continues: " We are committed to improving communities.
"We want our developments to be lasting assets, both to the people who live in them and to their neighbourhoods."
The website makes no commitment to safeguarding or enhancing the natural environment for the benefit of birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
The net-covered hedgerow is predominantly hawthorn, interspersed by elder, dog rose and bramble.
It is not yet known when North Lincolnshire Council will determine Partner's development application nor whether the episode involving the bird-deterrent netting is likely to influence the decision of planning committee members.
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| Struggling to escape - a blackbird is caught in the netting |
Note: The controversy is featured tonight on BBC regional news programme Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000344f/look-north-east-yorkshire-and-lincolnshire-lunchtime-news-04032019
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