Agenda item

To receive any Motions submitted in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Council's Constitution.

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (of which Agenda Item 14 refers) submitted in the name of Councillor David Marsh relating to the use of Swift Bricks.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor David Marsh and seconded by Councillor Carolyne Culver:

“That Council notes that swifts, one of the oldest species on earth, fly thousands of miles (spending up to three years on the wing) to breed in the UK. Increasingly, they are 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.

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. The Labour government, having promised in opposition to incorporate a swift brick nest box into new buildings by law, has reneged on this pledge.

Council further notes, however, that a number of local authorities, with all-party support, have adopted policies requiring swift bricks to be included in new developments. These measures have proved popular with residents as well as local wildlife charities.

Council therefore resolves that:

A)    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.

B)    At least 50% of homes on new developments in West Berkshire shall be required to have at least two swift bricks installed. New commercial and industrial developments shall be required to have at least three swift bricks installed per appropriate unit.

C)   This condition will be attached to all relevant planning permissions for new buildings, in line with Local Plan policy SP11, Biodiversity and Geodiversity, the Council's Environment Strategy (refreshed May 2025), the Berkshire Biodiversity Strategy, and other initiatives to maintain, restore and increase biodiversity in West Berkshire.

D)   This is in addition to any biodiversity mitigation or enhancements normally requested through the planning process.”

The Chairman informed the Council that the Motion would not be debated at this meeting. In accordance with Procedure Rule 12.6.2, the Motion would be referred to the Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee. This would enable their input and that of expert Officers, before then coming back to Council for debate.

Councillor Marsh introduced the Motion and highlighted that swifts were one of the oldest species on Earth. The proposed Motion would seek to ensure that a proportion of new homes built in the district would contain swift bricks in order to help preserve the species. Since 1995, there had been a decline in the species by two thirds, with 40 per cent of this decline occurring in last ten years. In addition, swifts were now on the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds red list of threatened species.

Local Councils around the country had taken measures around swifts, including a Council in Nottinghamshire which passed a motion similar to the one proposed, ensuring half of new homes included swift bricks, as well as Devon County Council who installed swift bricks on County Hall. These bricks could halt the decline in swifts and provide a safe nesting place for many other types of small birds. In addition, the adoption of this Policy would also offer developers a visible way to ensure that promises to protect and enhance the natural environment were being taken seriously.

Councillor Denise Gaines, the relevant Portfolio Holder, responded that the decline in the swift population was a real concern, and that Government looked to have u-turned around the inclusion of swift protections in their Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

She also noted that Local Plan Policy SP11, on conservation and enhancement of the environment, outlined that the Council would like to create habitats for locally characteristic species within the fabric of buildings, and enhance wildlife connectivity general.

As a recent development in the district was approved with a condition for the inclusion of swift bricks, Councillor Gaines welcomed the Motion being discussed by the Resources and Place Scrutiny Committee.