Peregrine nesting box to be installed on landmark

A pair of peregrine falcons already nest on Bradford City Hall

A nesting box is to be installed on Bradford City Hall's clock tower in the hope it could lead to a successful breeding scheme.

The box and a CCTV camera will be fitted to the landmark as part of the Bradford Peregrine Trail and will allow people to monitor the birds of prey.

Funded by Natural England, the project aims to make sites in Bradford more hospitable to the birds of prey and has already seen a box fitted at Lister Mills.

Bradford Urban Wildlife Group will monitor the birds, a planning application said, with the CCTV footage set to be "enjoyed by local people via the trail's website, social media and at organized viewing events."

A pair of peregrines already nest on Bradford City Hall, but the application said there had been little success in breeding due to eggs being laid on bare stone.

It said the project had been supported by TV naturalist Chris Packham and RSPB president Amir Khan.

The move would give the birds a "high profile" during Bradford's year as UK City of Culture, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application added: "The project aims to make urban locations in Bradford more hospitable for the protected peregrine falcon, while connecting local people with the wildlife spectacle of the fastest animal in the world.

"Evidence from around the country suggests installing a nest box lined with gravel dramatically improves breeding success in urban locations."

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