North Yorkshire Council has outlined a new long-term strategy to manage the impact of gulls across Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey while ensuring the protected species are safeguarded.
A proposed new approach to managing gulls on the North Yorkshire coast has been set out, aiming to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.
North Yorkshire Council has developed plans for an urban gull strategy, which outlines a long-term approach to managing the birds across the coastal towns of Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey.
The local authority acknowledges that gull species, including herring gulls and kittiwakes, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. However, it notes that their growing numbers in urban areas create challenges for local authorities across the country.
According to the council, the presence of urban gulls can be divisive and poses challenges to the local community, particularly regarding the mess created from fouling, nesting, and noise.
Furthermore, the presence of herring gulls, commonly known as seagulls, can lead to conflict with people due to the availability of food waste, which sometimes results in the birds scavenging or taking food.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, Councillor Richard Foster, said:
"Gulls are an intrinsic part of the North Yorkshire coast, and living alongside them is something coastal towns have done for generations."
"However, their increasing presence does bring challenges. This proposed strategy sets out a clear, balanced approach that recognises both the importance of protecting these species and the need to minimise their impact on residents, businesses and visitors."
"By focusing on practical measures such as reducing food waste, improving awareness and using effective deterrents, we can support long-term coexistence and ensure our coastal towns remain clean, safe and welcoming places for everyone."
The proposed urban gull strategy has been developed based on evidence and feedback from local businesses and national conservation data.
It has also been created in consultation with several organisations, including the Yorkshire Coast Urban Gull Partnership, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and Yorkshire Water.
The local authority states that the strategy aims to improve the understanding of gull behaviour, reduce the birds' access to food, and promote targeted cleaning hotspots.
Additionally, it seeks to encourage shared responsibility with landowners, install safe deterrents, and carry out ongoing population surveys across the Yorkshire Coast.
Councillor Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, said:
"I am looking forward to the debate and discussion at the area committee on the urban gull strategy."
"I’m interested to see the proposals about how we can change our own behaviour on food waste and litter, and the impact it will make to the cleanliness of our coastal towns and the way that the gulls behave."
The draft strategy is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee on Friday, June 5, as part of the consultation process.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive will then be asked to adopt the proposed strategy at a meeting later this year.
If adopted, the local authority states that the strategy will guide the council’s approach to managing gulls, incorporating regular monitoring and reviews to ensure all measures remain effective, lawful, and aligned with conservation requirements.
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