Seagulls have cost a health board tens of thousands of pounds after delaying the demolition of empty buildings at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. The birds were nesting in former accommodation blocks that were slated for demolition to make way for a new car park. Gulls are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it illegal to disturb them intentionally while nesting without a licence.
The nesting season for seagulls, which typically begins in March, had caused delays in previous demolitions in the Newport area, leading to overspends. The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, responsible for the hospital, faces a forecasted cost of £110,000 due to the seagull nests and unexpected asbestos in the buildings.
The health board’s capital projects are facing overspends, with the largest amounting to £1.7 million on the Bevan Health and Wellbeing Centre project. Additional expenses related to asbestos and utilities have also contributed to budget challenges in other projects. Despite these issues, some projects are expected to be completed under budget, such as the satellite radiotherapy centre in Abergavenny.
The Aneurin Bevan board acknowledges the setbacks caused by the seagull nesting but states that the demolition eventually proceeded after coordinating with Natural Resources Wales to avoid harm to the birds. The board’s budget reports outline the need for further surveys before confirming project completions. The ongoing challenges with project costs are being managed through discretionary capital funding underspends.
With up to £64 million earmarked for capital projects this year, the health board aims to balance its capital programme expenses throughout the year. Despite the setbacks and overspends, the board continues to address the challenges to deliver much-needed healthcare infrastructure in the region.