Swifts 'displaced' after demolition - campaigners

Campaigners have said nesting swifts may have been displaced after part of a building was demolished in Dorking, after building work scheduled for autumn started during migration season.

Swift groups said a section of wall containing crevices used by the birds was removed at the site in Station Approach in May.

Photographer Amy Brewer said she saw birds attempting to return to nests which swifts use year after year, while Dorking Swift Conservation said an established colony could be lost.

Clarion Housing Group said ecological checks were carried out before demolition began and further checks undertaken throughout the works. Mole Valley District Council has issued a temporary stop notice.

Brewer, who has been documenting swifts, said she had previously seen birds entering gaps in the structure and believed several nests were present.

"I went back the day after and got footage of them flying around, trying to get in, but the wall had gone," she said.

"It was heartbreaking. You could tell they were trying to find where their nests were."

She said there was usually one pair to each nest and there were probably multiple nests at the site.

Julia Hemsley, a founder of Dorking Swifts Conservation, said the site had been used as a nesting colony for many years.

"They committed a wildlife crime. They were fully aware of nests there," she said.

She said swifts had been arriving in the UK looking for their nests and she had seen more than 30 swifts flying above the building site.

Hemsley warned it was not uncommon for the birds not to breed again after losing their nests.

"Swifts go back to nests year after year, they are very loyal to them," she said.

She said campaigners wanted the building developer to be held accountable under wildlife laws.

She also called on residents to put up swift boxes and use calls to attract the birds to new nesting sites.

Surrey Police said it had received reports and was reviewing the incident, including obtaining any relevant footage. It appealed for anyone with concerns to come forward.

Mole Valley District Council said it was examining whether planning requirements had been followed and would consider action if a breach was identified.

Councillor Bradley Nelson, cabinet member for planning, said: "The approved planning documents do not impose an absolute prohibition on demolition during the nesting season.

"Instead, they require that, where works take place during this period, a nesting bird check is carried out by the developer within 48 hours prior to demolition."

Developer Clarion Housing Group said it took "ecological responsibilities incredibly seriously".

It said it had been informed by the contractor The Hill Group that checks before demolition did not identify nesting birds within the building that would prevent works from proceeding.

It said further checks were carried out throughout the process, and some work took place during nesting season due to delays but this was not prohibited.

The Hill Group said it worked with ecologists and the council throughout the demolition of Regent House to ensure works complied with planning requirements and to safeguard wildlife.

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