TRESPASSING pigeons will be evicted from tower block stairwells in Basildon town centre.

Brooke House, in Town Square, will have anti pigeon measures installed on each of its 14 floors to stop the messy neighbours pigeons roosting and leaving their own distinctive calling signs.

Plans were submitted to Basildon Council for “flat bar sections” to be installed on each floor to prevent the council owned building being plagued by the pigeon pests.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “The pigeons are accessing these areas and creating an unsightly mess.

“Residents have requested that prevention measures should be considered to protect the building from pigeon, and help with the upkeep of the building.”

This is not the first time pigeon deterrents have been unveiled in south Essex.

Southend Hospital previously came under criticism for its use of cages to trap pigeons.

Patients reported having to watch the caged animals die from the windows of their ward beds.

The hospital claimed it was a health hazard, a similar concern raised by Basildon Council in relation to Brooke House, but did away with the controversial measures.

Basildon Council initially considered other pigeon prevention protocols.

These included anti-pigeon netting and the use of weld mesh sections to fill gaps on the perimeter of the building.

But Essex County Council’s historic building service objected, due to the mesh detracting from the Grade II listed building.

The plans for flat bar sections to prevent access were unanimously approved by Basildon Council’s planning committee on Tuesday night with no debate.

The planning officer’s recommendation read: “Overall, the proposed alterations to the listed building, in the form of installation of bar to stairwell land on the southern elevation of the building, are not considered to significantly impact on the historic and architectural character of this listed building, and will assist in helping to deter pigeons entering these areas of the building, and as a result the works are acceptable.” Work will begin soon.