A new long-term blueprint to manage urban gull populations across the North Yorkshire coast has been drafted by North Yorkshire Council, aiming to tackle the issues of noise, mess, and aggressive scavenging in seaside towns.
The proposed Urban Gull Strategy sets out a balanced framework for managing protected bird species—including herring gulls and kittiwakes—across Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey. Because all gull species are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, the council cannot simply cull the birds. Instead, the strategy focuses on encouraging long-term coexistence by altering human behaviour and modifying the local environment.
The draft strategy has been built on national conservation data alongside feedback from Natural England, the RSPB, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, and the Yorkshire Coast Urban Gull Partnership. The core plan focuses heavily on cutting off the gulls’ primary motivation for scavenging by improving public litter habits and changing how businesses handle food waste. It also outlines plans to deploy intensive cleaning crews to known bird-fouling hotspots, work alongside private landowners to install safe and lawful deterrent systems on buildings, and conduct ongoing scientific surveys to track nesting habits.
The draft strategy is scheduled for formal debate and public consultation during a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee on Friday 5th June 2026. Following the consultation process, the council’s executive will be asked to officially adopt the strategy later this year.
“Gulls are an intrinsic part of the North Yorkshire coast, and living alongside them is something coastal towns have done for generations. However, their increasing presence does bring challenges. This proposed strategy sets out a clear, balanced approach that recognises both the importance of protecting these species and the need to minimise their impact on residents, businesses and visitors. By focusing on practical measures such as reducing food waste, improving awareness and using effective deterrents, we can support long-term coexistence and ensure our coastal towns remain clean, safe and welcoming places for everyone.”
Cllr Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, commented:
“I am looking forward to the debate and discussion at the area committee on the urban gull strategy. I’m interested to see the proposals about how we can change our own behaviour on food waste and litter, and the impact it will make to the cleanliness of our coastal towns and the way that the gulls behave.”
