'Too many' pigeons in pigeon loft sparks council planning enforcement action

A number of pigeons in a loft
Pieter Obelholster was told he has too many pigeons in his pigeon loft (Image credit: Getty Images)

A man has lost a planning battle to keep his pigeons after being told the "extraordinary number" he kept was unreasonable.

Pieter Obelholster, from Bedford, built the pigeon loft over a decade ago to house racing pigeons as a hobby but ever since has found himself in numerous planning appeals in order to keep his pigeons after he originally failed to gain planning permission.

Joseph Mullane
News Editor

News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals.  Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.