Move to help swifts in West Berkshire

A very Green Party thing has been put to West Berkshire Council.

Group leader David Marsh wants the district authority to insist new developments have swift bricks installed.

He has tabled a motion to the council suggesting that it notes that swifts, one of the oldest species on earth that fly thousands of miles (spending up to three years on the wing) to breed in the UK, are increasingly finding their nesting sites blocked up.

“Their ancient forests with nest hollows now gone, they rely on cavities in buildings, but these too are disappearing, leaving this iconic creature on the RSPB ‘red list’ of endangered species,” he says.

“Swifts just need a brick with a hole in it to nest.

“The average two-storey new house contains 20,000 bricks and swift bricks – costing an estimated £30 each – can help save swifts, as well as other small nesting birds.”

Then he makes a political point, claiming the Labour Government, having promised in opposition to incorporate a swift brick nest box into new buildings by law, has reneged on this pledge.

He also wants the council to note that a number of local authorities, with all-party support, have adopted policies requiring swift bricks to be included in new developments – but doesn’t say which ones.

“These measures have proved popular with residents as well as local wildlife charities,” he adds.

He wants thelocal authority to resolve that swift boxes will be installed at suitable council-owned properties, including providing audio lures to attract breeding pairs, before the next nesting season in May 2026.

He also wants at least 50 per cent of homes on new developments in West Berkshire to be required to have at least two swift bricks installed.

And he also wants new commercial and industrial developments to have at least three swift bricks installed per appropriate unit.

The matter goes before full council this week (Thursday).