Hopes for more wildflower meadows in Gloucester
Local leaders are backing calls to create more meadows to brighten up Gloucester
Civic chiefs have back calls to create more wildflower meadows to brighten up Gloucester and help bees to thrive.
Wildflower meadows have been planted in many parts of the city and have been very popular with residents.
Councillors say they provide a boon to mental health, enhance the city and give a habitat to bees, insects and other wildlife.
Gloucester City Council passed a unanimous motion last week which thanks the funders, officers and volunteers involved, for their work in planting the wildflower meadows.
Councillors also agreed to look for potential new sites by collaborating with volunteer groups and charities to plant more wildflowers across the city in the future.
Councillor Sebastian Field (LD, Podsmead), who put forward the motion at the council meeting on July 7, said an acre of wildflower meadow can contain three million flowers. This produces enough nectar to support 96,000 bees, he said.
“These sites are a great thing. In Milton Avenue for example we took a field which was unloved which was subject to flytipping and we transformed it into a habitat for bees, insects and other wildlife.
“Residents will often come to walk and view the flowers and I for one value the space as a place for calm if you’ve had a tough week.”
He said wildflower meadows show off the city at its best.
Council leader Richard Cook asked what was not to like about the proposal. He said there’s a profusion of colour where wildflower planting has taken place.
As a result, many residents have commended the local authority for what they have done.
“Not only does it look good, but it also helps restore biodiversity for the city. I’m very happy to support the extension of this planting all around the city to continue the biodiversity improvements.”
He called on councillors to put forward suggestions for areas in their wards which could be transformed into a wildflower meadow.