West Berkshire Council.....

[bar...@virtuallyhome.co.uk]

 

…… see article….the cost the Council is suggesting is madness, most of it not needed…anyone in the area who can put them straight… Even if they are still unwilling to put up boxes, swifts can do without this bad press.  Some councils simply cut holes in fascias and soffits.

 

Camilla

Salisbury & Wilton Swifts

[Alistair]

Don’t know how they work out he economics something must have gone awry?

Fitting 3 upvc boxes at £40 each to 235 buildings only comes out at £28,200. (but excludes fitting and posting) 

East Devon Council did something similar in that they built a new hq and didn’t include swift boxes and then argues Helath and safety was an issue as they could fall off.  But then all the gutters and down pipes could fall off with that argument…..However it was somewhat corrected eventually

https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/24696202.east-devon-halt-bird-bat-boxes-due-health-concerns/

https://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/25288154.eddc-installs-swift-boxes-alarm-attract-nesting-birds/

Hopefully people will see sense…..

Alistair 

Kingsteignton Swifts

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[Mike Priaulx]

Hi Camilla/ all,

I'm probably stating the obvious but for anyone who hasn't read the article in detail - 

it was a Green Party motion, and the council is Lib Dems led I believe, so I suspect there was a political element to quoting a ridiculously high price to implement their motion.

The article is surprisingly well informed, but doesn't mention the Berkshire Local National Recovery Strategy.

If anyone does write then it's worth mentioning that the adopted 2025 Berkshire LNRS states:

"Swifts: Protect and retain existing nest sites where possible. 

• Strongly encourage LPA Local Plans wording to include a ratio of at least 1 universal/swift brick per new dwelling, referring to best practice guidance (such as BS 42021 Integral nest boxes - Selection and installation for new developments). 

• Encourage wording in LPA Local Plans to include extensions, and non-residential buildings."

All the best,

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

+++

West Berkshire Council.....

<bar...@virtuallyhome.co.uk>: Apr 11 11:41AM +0100

.. see article..the cost the Council is suggesting is madness, most of it

not needed.anyone in the area who can put them straight. Even if they are