Call to protect power station peregrines
CALL FOR NESTING BOXES TO BE PUT UP BEFORE DEMOLITION
WILDLIFE campaigners fear that the demolition of a power plant in Derby could harm the world’s fastest creature.
Peregrine falcons, which can reach speeds of more than 200mph while diving, have been spotted nesting at Derwent Power Station in Spondon.
The station, which has not been operational since 2012, is slated for demolition after a planning application was submitted by its owners, Sembcorp Utilities UK.
The company says the site is “no longer commercially viable” and wants to flatten it.
However, this has raised concerns from wildlife campaigners who say peregrine falcons, which are a protected species, have been nesting in parts of the derelict site.
The Save The Spondon Peregrines group says removing the buildings without putting up replacement nesting sites could cause a huge amount of harm to the birds and perhaps even drive them from the area.
“We aren’t opposed to the demolition,” a spokesperson for the group said. “What we are opposed to, is the disregard to all the wildlife, but especially the peregrines which have nested there since 2006.
“It would be extremely difficult for them to survive if their scrape (nest site) was demolished as they’d have to establish themselves elsewhere and birds of prey are very territorial and would defend any ‘intruders’ trying to move into their territory.
“We have been asking that they put nesting boxes up and/or platforms for the birds to use once the demolition goes ahead.”
The spokesperson added that these posts did not have to be in exactly the same place.
“It can be in the immediate vicinity,” he said. “They need somewhere high up though, hence why they chose the towers in the first place.
“We are asking for the demolition to be stopped if they don’t provide alternative nesting options for the peregrines. If they do, then we don’t have a problem.
“It really is that simple – put some nest posts/boxes up and the birds can at least have somewhere to roost through the winter.”
A preliminary ecological appraisal submitted with the plans had stated there was no sign of nesting bird activity on the site and made no mention of plans to install replacement nesting towers and boxes.
However, an updated ecological statement for the plans, which was published on the Derby City Council planning portal on November 26, confirmed peregrine falcons were seen in June and September 2020. This new statement also recommended a nesting tower and box is installed on the site, but stated safety risks prevent this being done before the demolition is completed.
A spokesperson for Sembcorp Energy UK said it is intending to do something to help the birds.
“We understand people’s concerns in relation to the peregrine falcons, which are a protected species, and it has always been our intention to install an alternative nesting tower and box on site,” he said. “Though the overall industrial site at Spondon is quite large, the area we lease is relatively small and congested.
“Due to the limited space on site we have been advised that a nesting tower cannot be safely installed on the main site until after the demolition works have been substantially completed in the summer.
“We have a duty to ensure the safety of people carrying out the demolition and introducing a new structure to this area would add an additional and substantial safety risk to those involved in the demolition works.”
He added that they are “exploring” another location on the southern part of the land that the company controls.
“Given the proximity of nearby pylons and overhead lines, we’re investigating the feasibility of installing a temporary tower and box safely in this area before the start of the 2021 nesting season,” he said.
“We have provided information to Derby City Council on the ecological surveys we have carried out this year which acknowledge the history of the Peregrine Falcons on site and we have confirmed our commitment to installing a nesting tower and box.
“As a socially and environmentally responsible company, we will continue to engage with ecological experts to help us minimise disruption to the birds and ensure the protection of wildlife on site.
“We will also follow their advice as to the most suitable location for the tower which will replace the temporary solution once the site has been cleared.
“If any peregrine falcon nesting activity is identified by the teams involved, then demolition works will stop, and a suitable exclusion zone put in place.”
The application can be viewed on the Derby City Council planning portal under the reference 20/01387/DEM.