Protestors gathered at a north Norfolk beach to object to a council's decision to install netting which stops sand martins from nesting.

Eastern Daily Press: Bacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodBacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

About 40 people joined the protest, which was organised by the Save Bacton Sand Martins group, on Bacton beach on Tuesday night.

It came after outcry at North Norfolk District Council's decision to install the netting at Bacton cliffs, which was put in place to deter birds during work on the Bacton/Walcott Coastal Management Sandscaping scheme, to prevent coastal erosion.

Eastern Daily Press: Bacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodBacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

MORE: Norfolk council agrees to remove some of the netting at Bacton cliffs following public outrageBut on Tuesday afternoon the council confirmed, after meeting the RSPB, it would take down some of the netting.

Eastern Daily Press: Bacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodBacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

But the protest, which was organised by Juli Kett-Brodie, from Southrepps, who is part of the sand martins group, went ahead.

She said: 'This is outrageous. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to do something. It warms my heart to see so many local people here, protesting against something that is so outrageous.

Eastern Daily Press: Bacton cliffs with the gas terminals above, where netting was put in place to stop sand martins nesting. Picture: JAMIE HONEYWOODBacton cliffs with the gas terminals above, where netting was put in place to stop sand martins nesting. Picture: JAMIE HONEYWOOD (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

'These sand martins have flown 5,000 miles, and have been using these nests for generations.

'We will keep up the pressure on the council, as all of the wrong netting must come down. It should not have been put up in the first place.

Eastern Daily Press: Bacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodBacton cliffs where netting has been put in place which will stop Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

'We must make sure this does not happen again.'

Eastern Daily Press: Bacton cliffs with the gas terminals above, where netting was put in place to stop sand martins nesting. Picture: JAMIE HONEYWOODBacton cliffs with the gas terminals above, where netting was put in place to stop sand martins nesting. Picture: JAMIE HONEYWOOD (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

MORE: RSPB calls on Norfolk council to do 'the right thing' and take netting down at Bacton cliffsArmed police, stationed at nearby Bacton gas terminal, kept a watchful eye over the protest.

The council said: 'The Bacton netting issue has been our top priority and we appreciate the level of concern it has caused.

Eastern Daily Press: Protestors at Bacton over the cliff netting which is stopping Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodProtestors at Bacton over the cliff netting which is stopping Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

'Following positive discussions with the RSPB and Natural England, we have instructed contractors to remove the upper levels of netting on Bacton cliffs.

'Minimum levels will be retained to assist in progressing with this critical project to protect people's homes and national infrastructure.

Eastern Daily Press: Protestors at Bacton over the cliff netting which is stopping Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodProtestors at Bacton over the cliff netting which is stopping Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

'Following this, ongoing discussions will take place between NNDC and the RSPB about the material to be used on the lower section of cliff to allow this to happen.'

The Save Bacton Sand Martins group said: 'While we absolutely welcome the nets coming down within 24 hours, the distress and displacement caused to sand martins and other wildlife has been utterly disgraceful and must never happen again.'

Eastern Daily Press: Protestors at Bacton over the cliff netting which is stopping Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodProtestors at Bacton over the cliff netting which is stopping Sand Martins from nesting. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

The RSPB has said it will meet the council in the coming days in the hopes it can convince it to remove all of the netting.

Eastern Daily Press: The head of North Norfolk Council has said she is saddened by the misunderstanding between officers and the RSPB. PICTURE: Jamie HoneywoodThe head of North Norfolk Council has said she is saddened by the misunderstanding between officers and the RSPB. PICTURE: Jamie Honeywood (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)