Hastings Borough Council has actually dedicated to needing brand-new structures in the district to consist of nest boxes, following a movement brought by a Green councillor.
The movement, brought by Councillor Tony Collins (Green, Central St Leonards) was passed all at the complete council conference on 19 July. It dedicates the council to embracing the British Standard for essential nest boxes in brand-new advancements when the Local Plan is upgraded.
Having dealt with the movement with Ian Donovan of Hastings and Rother Swift Conservation Group, Cllr Collins is especially eager to see the adoption of ‘quick bricks’ in brand-new builds. These are hollow bricks or blocks which supply nestings locations for swifts, and can be utilized in brand-new structures or retrofitted into older ones.
Cllr Collins said, “The RSPB estimates that the UK breeding population of swifts has more than halved in the last 20 years due to loss of nesting sites on buildings, and these iconic birds are now on the red list of Birds of Conservation Concern.
“We know that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and urgent action is needed to stem the alarming decline of so many species.
“This motion goes a small way towards enhancing biodiversity locally, but as a council we need to ensure that nature and the environment are at the forefront of all our decision-making.”
