Council let down on swift brick advisory and good news

[Banstead Swifts]

Dear all

Following on from Hannah's article in the news regarding potential row back on making swift bricks compulsory on new builds, I share our local council let down:

You may recall Barry and I joined the Leader of Reigate and Banstead (R&B) Council on a zoom, some months ago. We requested that swift bricks be a requirement in all new builds and extensions, public, private, commercial builds.  

We were offered swift bricks to be added as an advisory to every letter that approved planning, with immediate effect. We accepted that as a start.

Since then I have emailed three times requesting a copy of the document as I had been invited to. No responses were received.

Last Saturday I was involved in guiding R&B councillors, one being on the planning committee, on a walk around the local farm to garner support for protecting nature and crops.

I happened to mention the above and he said no advisory had been added and that he knew nothing about it. 

I feel incandescent. We will start again, but the level of administration and communication is appalling. 

Separate to this, the swift bricks that were due to be fitted to Raven Housing Trust in the Banstead Swift Colony have been delayed for a year due to external major work that will need to happen late summer. This was justified but hugely disappointing.

The good news: 

6 swifts out of 8 are back so far. 2 were seen going into 1 nest. They are our joy. Now we wait to see if we will have any new nesters in the 10 vacant nest boxes.

Helen Lucy's beautiful swift leaflets have been so well recieved on the 2 walks I shared them out on. Thanks so much. 

Have a super week.

Kindest

Annie & Barry