A significant renovation project to replace the cast iron roof above the House of Lords chamber in Parliament is encountering unexpected challenges due to the presence of nesting peregrine falcons. The £26 million, three-year plan to repair the roof faces an "unavoidable and major impact" from the protected birds, with warnings of potential cost increases.
Authorities have acknowledged the delicate situation, with discussions held about the feasibility and cost of relocating the falcons. Staff have sought legal and wildlife expert advice on how to proceed. As peregrine falcons and their nests are legally protected, it is a criminal offense to disturb them. Natural England has advised Parliament to obtain a license for monitoring any disturbance to the birds, coordinated by an on-site expert.
A spokesperson for Natural England stated that they are working with the Parliamentary Estates Team to find a practical solution that protects the falcons and allows the works to proceed without additional public expense. The House of Lords confirmed plans for the urgent roof repairs, acknowledging the nesting pair of falcons and their legal protections.
Parliament is committed to minimizing disruption to the falcons while also controlling costs. The work requires the House of Lords to be unoccupied due to its noisy and intrusive nature, necessitating eight-hour night shifts. However, the chamber's unpredictable sitting times, which do not have a guaranteed end as in the House of Commons, could further complicate the schedule and potentially add costs.
One report indicated that the House of Lords' refusal to commit to finishing sittings by 10:30 p.m. nightly could add an estimated £1 million to the project's expenses. Steve Barclay, a member of the Finance Committee, highlighted this issue, noting a lack of awareness among some Lords members regarding this potential cost. He also contrasted this specific roof project with the larger, multi-billion pound Restoration and Renewal programme for the entire Parliament complex, criticizing a perceived lack of transparency and debate surrounding such projects.
A spokesperson for the House of Lords stated that while plans assume sittings will conclude before 10:30 p.m. daily during the repair period, this cannot be guaranteed due to the chamber's legislative scrutiny role. The Lords aim to minimize costs associated with late sittings.
One of the Peregrine falcons took up residence in the Houses of Parliament in 2008.