Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - 3 updates in 2 topics

[Clair Amos]

Great to hear, what an amazing achievement clair swift friends wyre forest 

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From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: 15 February 2026 06:58
To: Digest recipients <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [SLN] Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 3 updates in 2 topics

 

swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com

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• John Stimpson has not retired - 2 Updates
• Hole underneath swift nest box or hole in front? - 1 Update

John Stimpson has not retired

Dick Newell <dick....@gmail.com>: Feb 14 09:45AM Despite rumours, I just called John and he has not retired! He has now made 46,000 nest boxes for Swifts and is aiming to get to 50,000! Dick

Louise at Bolton and Bury Swifts <super...@outlook.com>: Feb 14 11:09AM What a Star 🌟 he is!       Best Wishes, Louise   [image] [See the source image] [image]   Bolton & Bury Swifts Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/BoltonAndBurySwifts/> Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/boltonandburyswifts/> House Martin Conservation<https://housemartinconservation.com/> Bolton Green Umbrella<https://boltongreenumbrella.org.uk/>     ________________________________ From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dick Newell <dick....@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 9:45:34 AM To: Swifts Local Network <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> Cc: actionforswifts <actionf...@gmail.com> Subject: [SLN] John Stimpson has not retired   Despite rumours, I just called John and he has not retired! He has now made 46,000 nest boxes for Swifts and is aiming to get to 50,000! Dick   -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "swiftslocalnetwork" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to swiftslocalnetw...@googlegroups.com<mailto:swiftslocalnetwork+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/CALBhX1MrQ-L3ND7-rED_pdNEWQYWLSHb6wwwYgd4Hxis7DNVZw%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/CALBhX1MrQ-L3ND7-rED_pdNEWQYWLSHb6wwwYgd4Hxis7DNVZw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

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Hole underneath swift nest box or hole in front?

Dick Newell <dick....@gmail.com>: Feb 14 09:03AM I think the risk of Swifts falling out of bottom-facing holes is overstated. However, adult birds exiting will swoop lower so are more vulnerable to cats. There is a 3rd option with the entrance facing obliquely down as in the Zeist and Model 30 boxes. Such entrances are aligned with the direction that Swifts naturally enter and exit, so may be preferable. As with so many things, the science has not been done to answer this question Dick   On Wed, 11 Feb 2026, 09:29 Llanidloes Swifts, <llanidlo...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Jay iPhone]

Swi...@2jays.co.uk

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On 15 Feb 2026, at 06:58, swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com wrote:



[Tony D]

Mike, response submitted, thank you for your valuable guidance.

Tony Dobbs

On Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 6:58 AM <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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• FW: Update from GOV.UK for new design guidance - 2 Updates
• Swift piece on BBC Morning Live - 1 Update

FW: Update from GOV.UK for new design guidance

Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Feb 23 01:38PM +0200 Hi all,     This is my suggested response to the "design codes" for England consultation, which like the NPPF consultation closes on 10/03/26: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance   Its not huge news but it's still a useful opportunity, and the online survey is short.   Every local authority must develop design codes - they're not compulsory for planning applicants but the positive is that they come into force quickly, and applicants do meet them to more easily achieve planning permission.   I am often contacted about planning applications of concern, and it's frustrating when there's no LPA guidance at all, so a relevant design code in that context is really useful.   Background, just for info:   We know from the Wild Justice report that inclusion on planning drawings or specification, with no specific planning condition, has the lowest level of compliance but it's better than nothing (and it is a legal requirement in theory).   Some design codes are already well worded, e.g. the Lake District demands compliance with BS 42021.   This consultation:   The current guidance recommends "bird bricks" and the new guidance recommends "bird bricks (including swift bricks)" (section N4, paragraph 93, page 31), so a slight improvement.   However it would be much better if it followed NPPG paragraph 017 text, i.e. at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments.   My suggested comments:   Here's the direct link to the online survey: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/design-and-placemaking-planning/design-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance/consultation/subpage.2026-01-13.1113235329/   Enter your personal information, for your Swifts Group where relevant.   Q6. Do you agree that the usability and effectiveness of the draft Design and Placemaking PPG has improved?   Neither agree nor disagree.   Q7. Are there any aspects where clarity, accessibility, or practical application could be improved to better support design and placemaking outcomes   Include in your comments (or copy & paste if you wish):   Supportive of reference to swift bricks clause in section N4, paragraph 93. Clearer and more effective if it followed NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017 text, i.e. at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments. Therefore, please amend to include the key text of NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017.   For the next "required" question answer: Neither agree nor disagree.   (You can leave the text box blank.)   Then regarding whether model design codes are positive: Answer: yes.   (You can leave the text box blank.)   Then Submit.   Please let me know at swifts....@gmail.com if you submit a comment.   Many thanks! Mike   Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

T Davies <talya...@googlemail.com>: Feb 23 01:02PM How do we answer the question (Q10) that asks whether it would speed up design codes?   On Monday, 23 February 2026, 'Mike Priaulx' via swiftslocalnetwork <

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Swift piece on BBC Morning Live

Laurinda Luffman <Laurinda...@rspb.org.uk>: Feb 23 10:57AM Morning All   There was a lovely Swift piece appeared on BBC Morning Live on the 20th (around 38 mins in), including great coverage of an AfS brick being installed 😊 https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002rkg7/morning-live-series-7-20022026   Check it out if you get the chance.   Laurinda     Laurinda Luffman Head of Trusts & Foundations, RSPB Swift species lead laurinda...@rspb.org.uk<mailto:laurinda.luffman@rspb.org.uk> 07940 724242 (DD) | 01767 680 551 (Sbd)   [The RSPB avocet brand mark]<https://www.rspb.org.uk/>   UK Headquarters The Lodge Sandy Bedfordshire SG19 2DL rspb.org.uk<http://www.rspb.org.uk/> [The RSPB on Twitter]<https://twitter.com/Natures_Voice> [The RSPB on Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/TheRSPB> [The RSPB on Instagram] <https://www.instagram.com/rspb_love_nature> ________________________________ Protecting habitats, saving species and helping to end the nature and climate emergency. Nature is in crisis. Together we can save it.   ________________________________   The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.   This email and any attachments may contain material that is confidential, subject to copyright and intended for the addressee only. If you are not the named recipient you must not use, disclose, reproduce, copy or distribute the contents of this communication. If you have received this in error, please contact the sender and then delete this email from your system. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076 and in Scotland no. SC037654.   The RSPB is committed to maintaining your data privacy. We promise to keep your details safe and will never sell them on to third parties. To find out more about how we use your information please read our online Privacy Policy: https://www.rspb.org.uk/privacy-policy/.

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