DORKING — Regent House near Dorking station in Surrey was demolished during the bird nesting season, which runs from 1 March to 31 August, despite being a known nesting site for swifts. The building had hosted one of the largest swift populations in the Mole Valley area, with volunteers from the Swift Protection Association Reigate recording up to 40 birds using about 20 nesting sites in its eaves in recent years.

Demolition and construction work are heavily restricted during the nesting season under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which makes it an offense to intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use. Residents alerted Surrey police wildlife officers in early May after observing swifts nesting at the site, and Mole Valley District Council was also informed of the birds’ presence.

"Despite this, demolition proceeded during peak nesting season," said Annie Griffin of Banstead Swifts. Conservationists have described the demolition as a wildlife crime. Mole Valley District Council subsequently issued a temporary stop notice halting all works at the site and is now reviewing whether planning requirements were followed.

Regent House was being demolished as part of a development plan for 126 flats by Clarion Housing Association, with construction led by Hill Group. An earlier impact assessment by Arbtech environmental consultancy had recommended that demolition occur outside the nesting season. If work during the season could not be avoided, the report required a thorough inspection by an ecological expert and retention of all active nests until fledging.

Hill Group and Clarion declined to confirm whether an ecological inspection had been conducted or whether the demolition timeframe was unavoidable.

"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," said Councillor Bradley Nelson, cabinet member for planning at Mole Valley District Council. He added: "We are aware of the concerns raised in relation to the site and are making appropriate enquiries to understand the situation fully. If it becomes apparent that a breach of planning control has taken place, MVDC will consider, in line with its usual processes, whether formal enforcement action is expedient."

Amy Brewer captured video of swifts returning to the site after demolition. "When I came back the building was gone and I saw them flying back and forth repeatedly towards where it used to be," she said. Several criminal complaints alleging violations of the Wildlife and Countryside Act have been filed with Surrey police. Swifts, which nest almost exclusively in older buildings, have declined by about 60% in the UK since the 1990s and are now on the red list of conservation concern.