Conservative councillor Jake Chandler has revealed that it is likely that beavers will return to Swindon “within five years”.

He said: “Since the election, I have been exploring plans to reintroduce beavers to Swindon following successful reintroductions in places like Devon and Dorset.

“After conversations with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust it looked to be possible for a project to reintroduce beavers to the Upper Thames, which would see beavers returning to Swindon for the first time in more than 400 years!

“Having developed the idea somewhat over the last few months, however, the latest reports from the wildlife trust indicated it was probably not necessary as beavers are migrating within rivers much sooner than anticipated, and while there are beavers present in the Avon at Lacock and Bradford-Upon-Avon (less than 30 miles from Swindon), it was likely they would return to Swindon naturally within 5 years.

“This is very promising and builds on our work already with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust around protecting important species like otters, great crested newts, bats etc.

“This gives us time as a Council to plan and put the right wildlife infrastructure in place for beavers.”

Cllr Chandler added: “As beavers move north-east through Wiltshire, Swindon is primed to be [a] habitat for beavers in the next few years.

“Having this knowledge gives us the opportunity to be prepared, by supporting potential habitat for beavers, as we have supported Wiltshire Wildlife Trust with their work around habitat restoration for species like otters.”

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According to The Wildlife Trusts beavers are “most active and visible during dusk and dawn.”

“It’s easiest to capture a good sighting of a beaver during the spring and summer months when they emerge before darkness falls,” reads the website.

They are around 70-100cm long, with a 30-40cm tail, with a weight of 18-30kg, and an average lifespan of over 10 years.

“Beavers are large rodents, about the size of a tubby spaniel, with a stocky body and short legs,” the website says.

“They have a broad, flat scaley tail, as well as strongly webbed hind feet. Their dense fur is usually brown but can sometimes be black.

“They have small eyes and large, bright orange front teeth.”