Council to cut grass-cutting in ‘wildlife-friendly’ initiative
Edinburgh council is to cut back on grass-cutting in parts of the city under a new biodiversity pilot scheme.
The frequency of mowing will be reduced in a “small number” of parks, green spaces and roadsides in a “more ecological and wildlifefriendly approach” to grounds maintenance. The initiative will also see more wild flowers and pollinator-friendly plants planted in grassy spots, as well as “greater use of perennial plantings and insect encouraging plants within flower and shrub areas”.
Dubbed ‘Edinburgh’s Flowering Lawns’, the project will seek to “encourage a more diverse mix of grass species which in turn supports a wider range of animals and insects.” It is not yet known which sites will be included in the pilot.
Lib Dem councillor Ed Thornley told a meeting of the culture and communities that similar schemes in the past had been interpreted by some people as the council “giving up maintaining an area rather than taking a different approach”. Officials said in response that there would be
“more engagement” with residents and community groups to spread awareness about the changes.
Less frequent grass cutting will be considered “on a site by site basis” taking account of health and safety considerations, particularly maintaining sight lines at junctions and roundabouts, the council said.
“In 2024, it is proposed to pilot this approach in a small number of sites. This will allow development of the concept, and will help to identify what works and what doesn’t,” a report to the committee stated.