To Ted Cadogan,
Chief Operating Officer
Chatsworth House
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is extremely disappointed by the response of Chatsworth to our open letter asking for the removal of anti-swallow & nesting nets on their sites.
We appreciate your swift reply but are concerned that you are not going to remove the nets. With swallows and house martins returning now from Africa, after migrating thousands of miles, this issue is urgent and we are further disappointed that you have declined to meet to discuss this.
We understand you are following planning approval from the Peak District National Park. We disagree with this decision. Putting up nets risks injury and death for Swallows and other breeding birds. These birds have been nesting at Chatsworth House for hundreds of years, a fact that should be cause for celebration. We are sure it is for many of your visitors and staff.
We still hope that Chatsworth will change it’s mind and remove the nets. Even at this late stage, there is still time for birds that are looking to start nesting.
And we are still very much open to meeting with you to discuss this matter further and offer our advice.
With hope,
Tim Birch
Director of Nature's Recovery
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust