Swift bricks help nature to thrive at Leyland development
AS SWIFTS prepare for their long journey back to the UK from Africa this spring, a Lancashire homebuilder is helping to support the declining species with a new initiative.
At Leyland’s landmark regeneration project, Centurion Village, David Wilson Homes is creating new nesting sites with the installation of swift bricks as part of its biodiversity strategy.
The voluntary initiative supports the conservation of the swift, which return to the same nests year after year. UK swift numbers have fallen dramatically in recent decades, largely due to the loss of traditional nesting sites in towns and cities. The RSPB reported that for every 10 swifts seen in 1995 in England, Scotland and Wales, there were only about three by 2022.
The 65 swift bricks being installed on selected homes at Centurion Village are built directly into the structure of the properties, providing secure, maintenance-free nesting spaces. They form part of the wider approach to biodiversity taken by David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes at the development and are not a requirement of building regulations.
Managing director of David Wilson North West, Claire Jarvis, recently appeared on BBC Morning Live from Centurion Village and spoke about the role housing developments can play in supporting wildlife.
“For us, it’s really important that new build developments play a pivotal role in helping wildlife,” she said. “Features like swift bricks provide safe, long-term nesting opportunities for birds that are losing natural sites in our towns and cities.
“We were alarmed to hear about the stark decline of cavity-nesting birds like swifts. So, we’ve funded and worked with the RSPB and Manthorpe to design and manufacture a swift brick to integrate seamlessly into building walls, providing swifts with safe nesting sites. They are simple for us to install are make long-term differences to swifts.”
The swift brick mimics the small cavities swifts traditionally use in older buildings. They are typically built into the north-facing side of a house, as it’s cooler for the swifts when they’re nesting. The bricks are also used by other cavity-nesting species such as House Sparrows, Starlings, and House Martins.
Regenerating the former Leyland test track
The 120-acre former test track for Leyland Trucks site is being transformed into a new neighbourhood to meet demand for new homes in Leyland.
Centurion Village is delivering 950 homes, including more than 40% affordable housing, alongside community facilities and extensive green infrastructure. It also includes nine hectares of public open space, wildlife corridors and active travel routes. Around 127 new trees have been planted across the site, alongside wildflower meadows, hedgerows and pollinator habitats.
Barratt’s show home gardens at the development have achieved an RSPB Gold Award for biodiversity, which feature bird, bat and bee boxes, hedgehog highways and pollinator-friendly planting. These measures form part of a long-term partnership between Barratt Redrow and the RSPB to embed nature-friendly design into new housing.
Centurion Village is part of Barratt Redrow’s wider commitment to sustainable regeneration, combining high-quality housing delivery with social value and nature-positive design. The development also holds a British Horse Society Access Award in recognition of improvements to countryside access and safety.
More information about the development can be found at www.dwh.co.uk/new-homes/dev-001048-centurion-village.