Green light for new peregrine falcons nesting spot

A new home is being built in Market Harborough to encourage the world's fastest animal to settle down and raise a family.

A pair of peregrine falcons - which can reach speeds of more than 300 km/h (190mph) - have for several years tried to breed at St Dionysius Church in the town in Leicestershire.

But after their attempts failed due to a lack of a suitable nesting platform to provide shelter for their eggs and hatchlings, a site was proposed at Harborough District Council's Symington Building as part of ongoing restoration works.

A scheme was approved by the council's planning committee unanimously on Wednesday, and work can now go ahead in time for the 2026 breeding season.

Two louvres on the north side of the tower will be removed to make space for access into a nesting tray just inside the building, filled with pea gravel.

These features can be replaced on the listed building if the birds leave the area in the future.

A live camera feed is also planned to allow the nest to be monitored.

WW Brown and Sons, the contractor carrying out the restoration of the Symington Building, will sponsor the work.

Leader of the council Phil Knowles said the peregrines "are a much-loved feature of Market Harborough", and added: "We are delivering what we believe our community wants."

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