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

[Lorna Mikhelson]

According to Alison, my favourite farmer, the swallows have arrived back at her small holding farm outside Manningtree. They arrived on 13th April !

Lorna 

On Sun, 19 Apr 2026, 07:58 , <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com

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• badge of honour or perhaps tile of honour - 1 Update
• Standard planning condition - 1 Update

badge of honour or perhaps tile of honour

Halesworth Swifts <haleswor...@gmail.com>: Apr 19 12:46AM +0100 Here are our two handmade tiles. Made by Smoke and Fire tilemakers in Darsham near Halesworth http://smokeandfire.co.uk/   We supplied artwork however there is some tilemaker's own creativity in the final product. We thought about colours, a sky blue background perhaps but found that most people preferred an understated palate that didn't clash with their paintwork!   Halesworth Swifts Group.   Swift tiles x 2.jpeg   On 18 Apr 2026, at 07:58, swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com wrote:      swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com Google Groups logo Google Groups   Topic digest   View all topics   Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 2 topics - 2 Updates   Swift and Swallow SOS group renamed - 2 Updates   The telegraph article - 1 Update   Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 2 topics   Halesworth Swifts <haleswor...@gmail.com>: Apr 18 12:04AM +0100   re badge of honour - Halesworth Swifts (we are in east Suffolk) offer a   choice of fired tiles to be affixed on the front of a property. For   general supporters we have a tile that simply says Suffolk Swifts, but for   the lucky few we have one that says "Swifts nest here".   A local tile company makes them for us and we sell them at cost which is   £15. They are popular amongst our supporters. I will try and find a photo   of same...   Monica pp Halesworth Swifts   Helen Lucy <hmll...@gmail.com>: Apr 18 06:15AM +0100   Hi Monica, this is exactly the sort of thing we're talking about, and £15   sounds extremely reasonable! If you could find a picture to send me I'd be   very grateful.   Helen Lucy email: help....@gmail.com   On Sat, 18 Apr 2026 at 00:04, Halesworth Swifts <haleswor...@gmail.com>   wrote:   Back to top   Swift and Swallow SOS group renamed   Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Apr 17 07:30PM +0100   Hi all,   I saw today the Swift and Swallow SOS- Facebook group for finding rehabilitators for grounded birds is now called:   "Swift SOS- Coordinating Rescues (Swifts, Swallows and Martins)"   Will need to update a few documents!   Here's the link:   https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18b5gXExNf/   Swift Conservation First Aid webpage is the non-Facebook equivalent.   All the best,   Mike   Islington and Hackney Swifts Groups   Helen Lucy <hmll...@gmail.com>: Apr 17 07:31PM +0100   I know - I saw that and my heart sank!   On Fri, 17 Apr 2026 at 19:30, 'Mike Priaulx' via swiftslocalnetwork <   Back to top   The telegraph article   Hannah Bourne-Taylor <hannahbou...@gmail.com>: Apr 17 09:11AM +0100   Hi everyone,   In case you haven't seen, here is a link to the full telegraph article: https://archive.ph/2026.04.16-150444/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/16/the-heartbreaking-race-to-save-britains-swifts-from-network/   Some of the quotes from me are not exactly what I said and I had to correct one when they reported I had said something about swifts not always using twigs and there is a lack of context which will likely mean some people then don't understand that swift boxes and bricks are really really good (obviously i think this!) but unfortunately word counts and misunderstandings can lead to stuff like this but overall it's good attention and one hopefully we can all use.   Negotiations are underway but until things are ironed out there is no official updates but there is some secret hope.   All best, Hannah   Back to top   You have received this digest because you're subscribed to updates for this group. You can change your settings on the group membership page.   To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it send an email to swiftslocalnetw...@googlegroups.com.

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Standard planning condition

Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Apr 18 08:55PM +0100 Hi all,   We have slightly updated the standard planning condition which is available in the SLN library (http://tinyurl.com/SLNlibrary ):     * File name: Standard Planning Condition 29 03 2026     * Located in folder: Planning Process/ Planning Applications & Conditions     I've attached a Word copy for easy reference.   Some good news is that East Hertfordshire have started to use this condition! So this is a useful precedent.   The update is a subtle improvement to require evidence of installation before the external walls are complete, rather than before the roof is started.     In more detail:     This condition wording is aimed at reducing non-compliance by including a post-construction check.     Many conditions are worded so they're fully signed off at design stage, which makes them easy to forget when work starts on site. So you could suggest to your local planning team that they use ours.   Here's a reminder of the planning process if you're interested!:   The highest level planning policy document in England is the NPPF which sets policy that local authorities implement in their Local Plan (other UK countries have equivalents)     Developers won't usually even see the NPPF - local authorities do follow it but it's a slow process going through the Local Plan cycle of several years. In theory it also applies directly to planning applications, but that only happens in practice for the very largest developments.     The slow turnaround of Local Plans and the lag between permission and construction is a major disadvantage of planning compared to building regulations.     Once building regulations are published, they apply immediately to any developments starting on site.     The NPPG (National Planning Practice Guidance) is the next level down - the government inspector can add it into Local Plans if the local authority fails to. Since June 2025, the NPPG has referred to "swift bricks" (at least one per dwelling on average for new developments).     The Local Plan and subsequently planning conditions are legally binding for developers.   However, the recent Wild Justice report looked at landscaping plans and similar and found a low level of compliance - we don't have data on compliance for specific planning conditions, but Graham's work in Herts tells us this can be low too.     Liaising with the site manager can help a lot. Graham's the expert, any questions on this subject please send to swifts....@gmail.com and I'll pass on.     If non-compliance is reported (often by members of the public), then it becomes an enforcement issue - ultimately demolition is possible!     I've had good experience with enforcement teams and for me they've either forced retrofit of swift bricks or a greater number of swift boxes, but local teams can vary.     So using the standard clause is a better option.     Any questions at all please let me know (questions to swifts....@gmail.com).     All the best,   Mike     Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group     ⁣

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[Heidi Collishaw]

Swallows are back here in North Yorks too, rather earlier than I expected as it's still quite chilly, especially at night. I'm pleased they'll have some decent mud for nest building this year, unlike last year when it was so dry. Let's hope they have a great breeding year, and that the Martin's and swifts will return soon too. 

Regards

Heidi

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