NETTING hedgerows in Herefordshire to deter nesting birds is causing outrage across the county where hundreds have already signed up to a petition demanding an end to what is described as a “deplorable and disgusting” practice.

As the nesting season approaches, the appearance of netting over hedges and trees is prompting fury in the county and across the rest of the country. The practice by housing developers to net habitat before receiving permission to destroy it has been described as “calculated cynicism” by wildlife champion Chris Packham.

The Woodland Trust has responded to what it calls the “sickening practice” of preventing birds from nesting and calling for developers to work in harmony with nature. Meanwhile Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) has registered deep concerns about the threat not only to birds but also to wildlife in general.

Social media has been bombarded with photographs and angry comments about netted hedgerows and in some cases entire tree canopies. Vivien Martin said she had shared a post drawing attention to netting in Herefordshire which had prompted 2,000 replies.

“This practice seems to be popping up in other parts of the country and in some places developers have removed it after protests.

“All I did was share a post which appears to have stirred up some strong feelings.” Bernard Asley said he spotted a “load of blue netting” over a mature hedge in Luston. He commented: “Absolutely disgraceful and looks bloody awful. This seems to be a disease that’s out of control.” One man who lives near Canon Pyon said the practice was “deplorable and disgusting”.

HWT’s conservation senior manager Andrew Nixon told the Hereford Times that the practice of netting has wider implications for wildlife.

“While it’s not illegal it seems to be on the increase and we haven’t had a chance yet to find out what’s happening in other counties,” he said. So far netting has appeared in Herefordshire on hedgerows at Bartestree, Luston, Stoke Prior and Canon Pyon.

“Developers don’t want any potential hold-ups due to birds nesting,” said Mr Dixon. “But the problem of netting applies to animals too which can be trapped inside as well as birds.” He also feared that netting could be left abandoned “torn and tatty” on hedgerows.

“This would be a continuing threat and would need to be monitored,” he said. “Unless this is managed it’s a threat in itself.”