Brighton bee bricks initiative may do more harm than good, say scientists

One scientist said bees would be able to ‘assess the holes’ state before using them, which would mitigate some of the risk. Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy

An initiative in Brighton aimed at helping protect the bee population could do more harm than good, scientists have warned.

The council in Brighton has passed a planning condition that means any new building more than five metres high will have to include swift boxes and special bricks with holes known as bee bricks. They will provide nesting and hibernating space for solitary bees.