A LINE of four-inch metal spikes on the ridge of a thatched 17th century Williton building to protect it from bird damage has “caused harm” and must be removed, a planning inspector has decided.

The inspector, Mr H Porter, dismissed an appeal by John Newsome, owner of 1A Long Street, Williton, against a decision by the former West Somerset Council to refuse to grant building consent for bird deterrent spikes on the roof ridge.

He said the spikes “failed to preserve the special interest and significance” of the Grade II listed building, which houses St Margaret’s Hospice charity shop and John’s Chippy fish and chip shop.

“I had to spend £20,000 re-thatching the roof because, over the past five years, seagulls and crows have ripped the hell out of it,” Mr Newsome said this week.

“When I had the work done, it seemed sensible to protect the ridge with tiny metal spikes to stop birds perching on it and doing further damage.

“They were installed by the thatcher and are so small and unobtrusive that it never occurred to us that they would need planning.

“Unless you were really looking for them, you wouldn’t know they were there.”

Mr Porter said the individual spikes, of “non-traditional material”, were relatively fine but noticeable.

“I find the bird spikes have failed to preserve the special interest and significance of the listed building and have caused harm. Given that only part of the thatched roof has spikes, this calls into question whether the metal spikes are necessary.”

Mr Newsome said he now had no alternative but to have the spikes removed: “They have been very effective in keeping the birds off and now I expect there will be more damage,” he said.

“I have spent £100,000 on restoring this listed building over the past six years but instead of being encouraged by the authorities I am penalised for trying to protect it. I can’t quite see the logic of all this.”

The full story is in today’s Free Press (January 10).