Urban meadows to be expanded across Andover
Council say new mowing regime is helping biodiversity and cutting harmful emissions
More green spaces in Andover are set to be turned into 'urban meadows'.
Test Valley Borough Council say their trial to cut emissions from regular grass cutting and help with bio-diversity has been popular with residents and could now be expanded.
Currently there are meadow sites at Picket Twenty, Smannel Road and Beech Hurst Park.
Climate emergency and countryside portfolio holder, councillor Alison Johnston, said:
“The work creating these urban meadows has really given a wilder more natural feel to some of our green space. I’m delighted to say that the communities benefitting from these meadows have been positive about this change in management, and we are working to increase the area of meadows over the next two years.
“The benefits are clear to see from an aesthetic point of view, as well as our work on the climate emergency action plan. Reducing our mowing is a step to changing the way we manage our spaces with the climate and environment in mind.
“We are keen to work with communities who have ideas on where mowing could be relaxed to improve biodiversity. Please send ideas for new sites to nomowinfo@testvalley.gov.uk.”