Duke of Devonshire wins battle with conservationists to put netting on sculptures at Chatsworth House to protect them from birds
- The Duke of Devonshire has won a battle to put up netting at Chatsworth House
- Conservationists are worried that nesting sites could be lost at Bakewell home
- The Peak District National Park Authority approved bird netting proposals after birds pooed on sculptures of serpents, cherubs, and lion mouths
- Cavendish family remains one of Britain’s wealthiest aristocratic families
An aristocrat who owns one of the country’s most famous stately homes has won a battle with conservationists after birds pooped on his prized sculptures.
Peregrine Cavendish, the 12th Duke of Devonshire – worth an estimated £880million – wants to put up netting at his Chatsworth House estate.
The 16th century home is a famous filming location and appeared as the backdrop to two Keira Knightley films – 2005’s Pride and Prejudice and 2008 flick the Duchess.
Conservationists are worried that bird nesting sites, set to be put on sculptures of serpents, cherubs, and lion mouths, could be lost at the stately home in Bakewell.
But the Peak District National Park Authority approved the bird netting plans last month, despite concerns raised by conservationists.
Peregrine Cavendish, the 12th Duke of Devonshire – worth an estimated £880million – wants to put up netting at his Chatsworth House estate in Derbyshire (pictured)
The Peak District National Park Authority approved the bird netting proposals (depicted above) last month, despite concerns raised by conservationists
The Trust said of the bird protection measures: ‘Swallows and swifts are using protected areas of sculpture for nesting sites.
‘These nesting sites result in faeces being deposited, not only on the cleaned and conserved stonework and sculpture, gilding and decoration, but also on the furnished balconies and terraces used by the family.
‘Cars and stone paving around the house are also affected.
‘The proposed netting is a discrete system which is a justifiable preventative measure for use in the protection of high level stonework in the proposed locations.’
The Trust said: ‘These nesting sites result in faeces being deposited, not only on the cleaned and conserved stonework and sculpture, gilding and decoration, but also on the furnished balconies and terraces used by the family’ (pictured, netting proposals)
It added: ‘In conclusion the proposed works [pictured, proposals along sculptures) would conserve and enhance the special qualities of the Grade I listed Chatsworth House.’
Chatsworth House (pictured) which recently reopened after its biggest restoration project in 200 years has been home to the Cavendish family since 1549
It added: ‘In conclusion the proposed works would conserve and enhance the special qualities of the Grade I listed Chatsworth House.’
Chatsworth House which recently reopened after its biggest restoration project in 200 years has been home to the Cavendish family since 1549.
The 10-year long programme, which cost about £32million, saw ‘priceless’ paintings restored, brickwork scrubbed and turrets rebuilt. Dentistry tools were used to scrape out mortar in between huge blocks in the Derbyshire stately home’s walls.
The 10-year long programme, which cost about £32million, saw ‘priceless’ paintings restored, brickwork scrubbed and turrets rebuilt (pictured, exterior of Chatsworth House)
The Cavendish family is one of Britain’s wealthiest aristocratic families (pictured, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire posing in the grounds of the family estate in Derbyshire)
The Painted Hall at the stately family estate Chatsworth House, near Bakewell in Derbyshire
Peregrine Cavendish, the Duke of Devonshire, attending a book launch
The house and garden were built by Sir William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick in 1555. There are 126 rooms.
More than 30,000 people a year flock to the historic property in the Peak District.
The Duke had previously been embroiled in a dispute with villagers on his estate, after seeking to use three picturesque cottages as hotel rooms.
The estate in 2012 applied for planning permission to convert three small stone homes into luxury holiday accommodation near his home.
But residents in Beeley objected to the plans and claim the change was threatening to ‘kill the community’.
The Cavendish family is one of Britain’s wealthiest aristocratic families.