Colchester City Council Preferred Options Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2025

Proposed policy is welcome but should be consistent with national policy on swift bricks,
especially as Colchester is an important area for swifts and other red-listed endangered building-dependent bird species which will use swift bricks, due to the presence of older buildings for nest sites and suitable vegetated and waterside locations for foraging.

Note that the mandatory national Biodiversity Net Gain calculation does not include species features such as swift bricks, so it is important that swift bricks have their own separate policy.

Therefore, please include the text of NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017, in particular the requirement for at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments, plus explanation that other bird species will use swift bricks, and best-practice guidance references, as follows:

"Developments should include integrated nest boxes (commonly known as swift bricks) where possible, with the general aim across a development of a minimum of one nest box per unit. Nest boxes can provide important habitat for other species as well as swifts, such as starlings and sparrows.
Extensive guidance is available on wildlife friendly features, including the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code which illustrate how well-designed places can support rich and varied biodiversity by facilitating habitats and routes for wildlife. More specific support for the selection and installation of swift bricks can be found in the British Industry Standard BS 42021:2022 the Future Homes Hub Homes for Nature Guidance, and the RSPB’s Guide to Nestboxes."

Here is the relevant link for the NPPG, and I have also copied out the text below for reference:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/natural-environment

Full text from NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017:
How can developments incorporate features which support priority or threatened species?
The National Planning Policy Framework expects development proposals to bolster wildlife by incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs.

The use of swift bricks is particularly important in this context because swifts rely on urban cavities for nesting, and the national loss of suitable nesting sites through building renovation has been part of the reason for the species’ decline. Developments should include integrated nest boxes (commonly known as swift bricks) where possible, with the general aim across a development of a minimum of one nest box per unit. Nest boxes can provide important habitat for other species as well as swifts, such as starlings and sparrows.

Extensive guidance is available on wildlife friendly features, including the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code which illustrate how well-designed places can support rich and varied biodiversity by facilitating habitats and routes for wildlife. More specific support for the selection and installation of swift bricks can be found in the British Industry Standard BS 42021:2022 the Future Homes Hub Homes for Nature Guidance, and the RSPB’s Guide to Nestboxes.

Paragraph: 017 Reference ID: 8-017-20250609

This may be best in policy EN3 where I have also commented, but whilst the proposed policy is welcome it should be consistent with national planning policy on swift bricks.
Note that the mandatory national Biodiversity Net Gain calculation does not include species features such as swift bricks, so it is important that swift bricks have their own separate policy.

Please include the text of NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017, in particular the requirement for at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments, plus explanation that other bird species will use swift bricks, and best-practice guidance references, as follows:

"Developments should include integrated nest boxes (commonly known as swift bricks) where possible, with the general aim across a development of a minimum of one nest box per unit. Nest boxes can provide important habitat for other species as well as swifts, such as starlings and sparrows.
Extensive guidance is available on wildlife friendly features, including the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code which illustrate how well-designed places can support rich and varied biodiversity by facilitating habitats and routes for wildlife. More specific support for the selection and installation of swift bricks can be found in the British Industry Standard BS 42021:2022 the Future Homes Hub Homes for Nature Guidance, and the RSPB’s Guide to Nestboxes. "