A PAIR of deadly predators could take a new perch on Winchester’s holiest building this year when their nest on a police tower block is bulldozed for housing.

Winchester Cathedral is one of two homes being considered for two peregrine falcons which currently live in Hampshire Constabulary’s headquarters in Romsey Road.

The West Hill base, sold last year to developers, is one of four city buildings high enough to be a suitable habitat, along with Winchester Prison, the cathedral and Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

But the prison has proved unworkable, according to Keith Betton, Hampshire county recorder for birds.

“If you go in that prison it’s actually, first of all, quite a lot lower than you think,” he said.

“The other thing is that prisoners get regular exercise and there are people milling around all of the time. From that point of view it’s too busy for the birds.”

He added that the hospital would be too busy for the birds.

Peregrine falcons, which nest on high-rise buildings when tall trees are unavailable, are believed to be the fastest creatures on earth and can reach speeds of over 200mph when diving for prey.

They have used the Norman cathedral for centuries to rest and launch hunts for pigeons, but this would be the first time they could enjoy a man-made nest on the roof.

Cathedral bosses are yet to decide whether to take the birds in.

Contractors are set to demolish the former police tower block this autumn, after the birds have nested in summer. Strict conservation laws prevent them from being disturbed during nesting.

The prolific rodent-killers were culled during the Second World War to protect carrier pigeons which were used to deliver messages to European sleeper agents, but have returned to Hampshire over the last 20 years.

There are currently 16 peregrine nests in Hampshire, the highest number since their return to breeding in the county in 1993.

Work on Berkeley Homes’ 200-house project is set to begin in January 2016 if plans are permitted.