New map shows city’s ‘uncut’ grass areas

PLYMOUTH City Council has created an interactive map showing previously mown areas of public grass which are now left uncut, to become wildflower meadows or just grow wild.

The authority last year increased its number of areas with uncut grassland – or ‘managed for nature’ – from 15% of public grassed area to 40%.

In consultation with Devon Wildlife Trust, national insect charity Buglife and an in-house ecologist, they are continuing the scheme this year, after public feedback had been ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

The online map has been created for residents to see which category areas of publicly-managed grass fall into: yellow being cut as normal, blue for wildflower meadows and orange for areas allowed to grow wild.

Designated wildflower meadows will be seeded and maintained to be filled with colourful blooms.

There is no change to the budget of the department which looks after grass cutting, with staff instead redirected into other work such as in nature reserves.

A council spokesman said that despite some scepticism among the public, the overall reaction to the scheme had been positive.

The spokesman said: “We’re not the only people doing this, but we want to really explain the reasons as to why we’re doing it.” The authority has said managing areas of grassland means balancing the needs of visitors and the environment as well as ensuring road safety.

But last year’s trial was hailed as a success. The spokesman said: “Some of the results were spectacular with wonderful patches of colour appearing where once there was just green.”

The authority is one of nine taking part in the national Future Parks Accelerator scheme, which in association with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Trust, aims to shape long-term planning for green areas. ‘Rewilding’ is among the policies being carried out.

“This strategy is just one of a number of ways that we are trying to do things a bit differently to help the environment and tackle the climate emergency,” said Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet member for Street Scene and Environment.

“In 2021, we’ll be building on last year’s success, where we began to tip the balance by increasing the grassland managed for nature from 15 to 40 per cent.”