The UK 's housing secretary , John Brokenshire , has warned developers they face legal action if they deliberately ignore their obligations to protect local wildlife . He spoke out amid increasing concern about netting being placed in trees and hedgerows ahead of building work near housing developments to prevent birds from nesting. 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 , 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 .