By Jack Thomson

Copyright dailyrecord

Renfrewshire homeowners installing solar panels on their roofs have been urged to seal them off with mesh or netting to prevent birds gaining access. It comes after a pigeon problem, experienced by residents in Bishopton , was raised by an elected member at last Thursday’s full council meeting. Councillor James MacLaren, a Conservative representative for the village, confirmed he had been contacted about the issue as he put forward a motion. The text, which received unanimous backing across the chamber, said: “Pigeons are known for carrying diseases. “This council wishes to advise all residents who have or intend to install solar panels on their roofs that it is strongly advised that, in order to prevent bird access, particularly of the likes of pigeons, for their own health and that of their neighbours, that the gap between the solar panel and the roof line should be sealed off with either mesh or netting.” The motion also instructed Renfrewshire Council to include such advice on its website. Councillor MacLaren, who also represents Bridge of Weir and Langbank, said he was “pleased” to receive the support of his fellow elected members. Speaking this week, he added: “It’s obviously a problem, not just in Bishopton but across Renfrewshire, and I would like to see more done about it. “It might be an idea for a report to come before the infrastructure, land and environment policy board with some suggestions. I would like this motion to be the start of a conversation on this issue because it is something that is affecting residents.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Colin McCulloch, a Labour representative for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank. He said: “It’s a good point regarding the mesh around the solar panels because once the birds roost under the panels, it’s a breach of wildlife legislation to move them. “If property owners start throwing balls and whatever to try to get them out of there, they are breaching the law and they could inadvertently find themselves in a lot of trouble for doing so. “If we can try to prevent that then firstly it will protect the pigeons from such a barrage and secondly it will keep property owners on the right side of the law and hopefully make for a better situation.” Provost Lorraine Cameron, an SNP representative for Paisley Southwest, added: “It certainly is an issue that people are unaware of when they install solar panels.” Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here