Planning change plea to protect swift population

Wildlife campaigners are calling for changes in planning policy to protect swift populations in a city.

Save Newcastle Wildlife wants Newcastle City Council to mandate "swift bricks" - which are hollow inside - in new housing developments to ensure the red-listed birds have somewhere to nest.

The plea comes amid plummeting populations and building work in north east England which has led to nests being disturbed.

Cabinet member James Coles said swift bricks and nesting boxes were not currently a requirement in the authority's planning policies, but the council "strongly supports their inclusion".

"Where ecological assessments identify opportunities to support priority or threatened species, appropriate biodiversity enhancement measures can be secured through the planning process," he added.

Swifts arrive in the UK from Africa every year and it is illegal to intentionally damage or destroy an active nest.

According to the Breeding Bird Survey their numbers in the UK plummeted by 70% between 1995 and 2024, a decline mirrored in the North East.

"We need to do all we can to protect the remaining populations, " a Save Newcastle Wildlife spokesperson said.

"They'll nest in colonies, so they'll only nest where other swifts are.

"We need to really focus on the areas that are still remaining and protect them as much as we can."

The Scottish Parliament has made swift bricks a legal requirement in new homes.

The charity has been running a petition urging Newcastle City Council to make changes to planning regulations since the beginning of the year.

It renewed its plea after swift nests were reportedly "destroyed" during roofing works in nearby South Tyneside.

The petition is yet to reach the 2,500 signatures required for it to be debated by full council, however Cole said the local authority would take it into account" as part of wider efforts to support biodiversity and sustainable development across the city.

He added procedures for refurbishment and roofing works were already in place.

"Ecological surveys are carried out before works begin, contractors receive ecology-led guidance to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and mitigation measures are implemented where appropriate," he said.

"These have included the installation of bird and swift boxes, modified roof tiles for swifts and specific method statements to protect nesting birds and other wildlife."

Follow BBC Newcastle on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.