The UK 's housing secretary , John Brokenshire , has warned developers they face legal action if they deliberately ignore their obligations to protect local wildlife . In a letter to developers after rising concern over the use of netting on roofs to prevent birds from nesting near their sites , Brokenshire said that birds are protected under the Wildlife and Fisheries Act 1981 . Any mitigation plans have to demonstrate how they would manage or avoid any negative effects on protected species , he added .
The UK's housing secretary, James Brokenshire, has warned developers they face legal action if they deliberately ignore their obligations to protect local wildlife. In a letter to developers after rising concern over the use of netting on trees to prevent birds from nesting near building sites, Brokenshire stressed that birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Any mitigation plans have to demonstrate how they would manage or avoid any negative effects on protected species, he added.