DEAD pigeons and birds fighting for survival have been found trapped in netting under the wooden rafters of the most iconic building in Knutsford.
Animal lover Ian Hubball raised the alarm on social media on Sunday afternoon after spotting the distressed birds at the former Belle Epoque restaurant at 60 King Street.
The 56-year-old was ‘overwhelmed’ by the response he received from local residents who shared his concern.
Ian, a self-employed photographer from Barnton, said: “I was looking up because I’m very interested in architecture.
“I saw two dead pigeons. They seem to have got in through a small gap.
“One appeared to have its neck sadly caught up in netting.
“One pigeon that was alive was sitting on a dead one. Either it may have been its mate or was just trying to get warm.
“I love animals. My main aim was to get them rescued as quickly as possible.”
Knutsford Town Council who owns the building pledged to take immediate action.
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Incensed residents vented their anger on social media.
One woman said: “So sad that a living creature should be treated like this.”
Another woman added: “This is awful. Poor things must be suffering terribly.”
Another person described it as ‘disgusting’.
Ian, creative media producer at Marbury Media, said: “I was absolutely amazed by amount of positive response I received.
“I am very encouraged by the caring people of Knutsford. The more people who know about this the better.
“Putting nets up to stop birds nesting are not good if they are not maintained.
“Pigeons find gaps and then get trapped.
A spokesman for Knutsford Town Council said: “The town council was alerted to the issue with the netting and is liaising with our contractors to remove the dead pigeons, free any pigeons which haven’t found their way out and replace/re-secure the netting to prevent any future issues.”
The grade ll listed property was home of the former Belle Epoque restaurant for 46 years.
Since then the building has remained vacant and fallen into disrepair.
Property company Bruntwood has pledged to invest £2 million to form a partnership with the town council to rescue the property.
The developer plans to reinstate the original coffee house concept or work with a local food and drink operator downstairs.
An enterprise is to be created upstairs for local entrepreneurs, start ups and freelances whilst local makers and artists use space in the bedrooms.
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