Frustrations over delay in designating Westy as a Cheshire Local Wildlife Trust Site for Swifts

FRUSTRATIONS are continuing over delays in designating the Westy area of Warrington as a Cheshire Local Wildlife Trust Site for Swifts.

Geoff Settle, chair of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum (WNCF), says Westy’s Cheshire Local Wildlife Trust (CWT) site would be a great addition to the Local Wildlife portfolio if Warrington borough Council’s legal department could find someone to attend a CWT online approval meeting that has been cancelled twice since September 2025.

Geoff said, “I remember when we fought against the formation of a new Clay Pigeon Shooting Club in Rixton. We lost on a technicality, which led to the removal of the designation of a newly established Local Wildlife site status. The applicant’s advocate was brilliant and destroyed the borough council’s officers’ case, officer by officer. My anger must have shown on my face when I took the stand because he didn’t ask me a single question about my evidence and I’d done a lot of research on the case. To rub salt into my wounds, the Shooting site is now derelict.
“I feel just as strongly about the designation of the Swift Colony that Brian Martin and his associates have worked so hard on, in trying to get approval for a Local Cheshire Wildlife site. The team are extremely passionate about putting up Swift boxes at residents’ requests.

Brian Martin (centre) and volunteers putting up Swift boxes

“The traditional nature of the estate’s housing stock has always provided a safe, ideal environment, below the eaves of the houses. Swift nests are being covered due to factors, including renovations and modern changes in building materials that often block nesting sites. The wonderful aerobatic Red Arrow-like displays have become the highlight of the summer.”

Geoff, a former mayor of Warrington, added: “The CWT conservation officer, Laura Sacker-George has been unable to sign off the process because WBC have failed to provide a legal expert at either of the two postponed online meetings. I believe that the proposed designation of the new Westy’s Cheshire Local Wildlife Swift colony is now at risk. Brian and Laura had been hoping that the designation would be concluded last September, highlighted by Warrington Worldwide. Westy set to be designated a Cheshire Local Wildlife Trust Site for Swifts.

Karl Green, who makes and installs Swift boxes in Westy for residents, has posted his thoughts on the WNCF Facebook page, stating, “I’ve spoken to Brian Martin over the frustrating delays in proceeding forward in finalising the protection order over the Westy Swift colony. Protection is needed now before these iconic birds come screaming home to their loyal nest sites across the estate in May. Hopefully we can now move forward and ensure a future for the screaming Swifts of Westy Estate. Once their nest sites are lost, they are lost forever.”
Geoff added: “I have strengthened the case by getting permission for Karl to put up Swift boxes high up on the walls of the Westy community centre, an ideal location. Karl is now very busy making them in readiness for when last year’s baby swifts and their parents return. They have wintered in South Africa and will be returning in May. They will get a great reception from residents when they return, and I sketched one in colour pencil to raise awareness.
Paul Speak, Risley Moss Action Group (RIMAG) and secretary of the WNCF wrote “This is a great project and designation for Warrington, well done to all involved for raising the need and issues. Maybe it will now be moved forward to proper designation.

Brian told Geoff that he had received a phone call in January from Laura. Brian, who has spent forty years of his life creating and turning Woolston Eyes into a Wetland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), said disappointingly: “Laura has heard nothing from the Council Legal Department about them appointing someone to represent the Council in the on-going discussions. Laura believed that it would be approved last month and that the appointment would be quick. It is now getting ridiculous with no progress in sight. I wonder if the Council appreciate the importance of the Swift numbers at Westy.
Geoff said “Laura has raised £35,000 through public donations towards surveying fourteen Local Wildlife sites waiting for CWT designations across Cheshire. It would be sad not to add another one simply because WBC can’t sign.”