Council takes environmentally friendly approach to grass cutting
The Council is taking a new approach to grass cutting throughout the borough to help the local environment and encourage greater biodiversity.
At the heart of this change is a move from cylinder mowers to flail mowers. Flail mowers can cut longer grass and also cut the sward (grass leaf) into smaller lengths that will break down quicker returning nutrients to the soil. It will also provide greater opportunity for wild flowers and support pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
The new system of grass cutting, that will start in March, will also be based on a process of managing areas of land in different ways depending on their location and use. For example:
- Recreation grounds, sports pitches, cemeteries grass will be maintained at a shorter length ie 20mm-50mm
- Highway verges, parts of public open spaces - grass will be maintained within 20mm-100mm
- Conservation areas - public open spaces such as the old golf course, countryside sites will be cut once a year
Cabinet Lead for Environment, Cllr Rupert Kyrle said, “This exciting more environmentally friendly approach to grass cutting will enable us to develop a maintenance schedule that is suitable for different areas. It will enable the Council to balance leisure use, appearance of the street environment and at the same time provide an increase in biodiversity.”
He added, “This new approach to grass cutting will also be a learning opportunity - so it will be kept under review and feedback will be invited from residents and communities to help us get it right.”