A GRADE II-listed building in Clitheroe could be set to be ‘bird proofed’ in a bid to cut down on it being ‘continually defaced’ by pigeons.

The plan to install spikes on the Castle Street building, which houses Barclays Bank on the ground floor, has been sent to Ribble Valley Borough Council for consideration.

It is proposed the metal spikes will be placed on the ledges, parapets and the roof of the property in the town centre.

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The application has been welcomed by members of Clitheroe Town Council and the borough council, who have said the current state of the building is ‘horrendous’.

Constructed around 1850, the building is situated on the corner of King Street and Castle Street and is two storeys high.

Clitheroe Town Council leader Mary Robinson said: “It’s a dreadful problem in the town and it’s just horrendous.

“When you go up the steps to go to the cash machine the whole area is covered in bird muck.

“It has been going on for some time and it’s just horrible.”

Ribble Valley borough councillor Sue Knox, who represents the town, said: “The muck damages the building as well as being unsanitary for humans.

“I welcome any attempt to stop this from continuing and it has become a real problem.”

A spokesman for Longden and Cook Commercial Chartered Surveyors said: “Unfortunately, the building has become an attraction for a flock of pigeons that are roosting on and around the building.

“This has become a serious problem for the building and indeed the town.

“We have had various requests from the health and safety department of Ribble Valley Borough Council to address this issue.

“We are aware that the local council has tried on several occasions to cull the pigeons however to no avail.

“We are now left with no option, but to bird proof the building.”

He added the action will help to protect the building and to keep it attractive, rather than being defaced by pigeon droppings.

The plans will be considered by members of the borough council planning and development committee at a future meeting.

If approved the Avipoint Anti-Roosting System will be the ‘preferred’ method of bird proofing.

The Avishock Proofing system was also considered, but, due to this delivering electric shocks, this method would mean drilling into stone and warning signs being erected.

This method was not considered beneficial to a grade II listed building by the applicant, The MR Estate Company.