Rushcliffe Borough Council are again installing a number of ‘No Mow’ areas across the Borough to act as summer pollinator sites and encourage wildlife and habitats to thrive even further.
It follows on from the success of the scheme last year and the authority are now expanding the campaign to 22 sites across the Borough from May to September this year, a further 16 compared to 2021.
The Council’s partners Streetwise are now not mowing selected areas across Rushcliffe to help create natural corridors to support and enhance local wildlife.
All sites feature signage stating ‘please excuse the weeds, we are feeding the bees!’.
This sustainable management of the open spaces helps to not only mitigate the impact of climate change but supports the Council’s Carbon Clever initiative and its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The selected areas in the Borough are as follows:
- Abbey Circus, West Bridgford
- Abbey Park, West Bridgford
- Adbolton Lane Playground, Lady Bay
- Alford Road, Edwalton
- Bridgefield Meadow, West Bridgford
- Cranford Gardens, Compton Acres
- Deepdale Close to Easedale Close, Gamston
- Dorset Gardens, Compton Acres
- Gotham Road, East Leake, subject to local works
- Green line Extension, Edwalton
- Gresham Pavilion and Playing Field
- Greystones Close, west, Gamston
- Greythorne Drive Park, Compton Acres
- Killerton Park Drive, Compton Acres
- Lyme Park Open Space, Compton Acres
- Melton Gardens, Edwalton
- Miss Machin’s Field, Edwalton
- Newbold Way, Kinoulton
- Rannerdale Close to Mellbreak Close, Gamston
- Rugby Road, Compton Acres
- Stamford Road allotment entrance, Gamston
- The Hook, area around the play area, Lady Bay
Visit https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/energy/summerpollinator/ for more information.
The renewal of the scheme was backed in a public survey last year receiving nearly 400 responses, of which 66% fully supported the scheme and a further 30% supported the scheme provided the sites can still be used by the public.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change Cllr Abby Brennan said: “We’re very pleased to relaunch this wonderful project that will further enhance biodiversity across the Borough.
“We had an overwhelming response to the start of the campaign last year, which is why we have now trebled the number of sites to ensure that even more wildlife and habitats can thrive.
“We’re keen to protect our environment in line with our priorities and our ever expanding Carbon Clever initiative which is driving forward our green agenda.
“We’re still keen to listen to more feedback on the sites so please email communitydevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk with any thoughts.”
The newly managed sites with the ‘No Mow’ areas often have paths cut through them and circles to provide areas for people to sit or children to play.
This creates a more varied greenscape, providing a wider range of recreational and social opportunities as well as benefitting more species, and make a more interesting natural environment.
It’s with the aim for residents to see more grass swaying in the breeze and hear the buzz of insects feeding on wildflowers.
If weeds become an issue at the sites alternative methods of removal will be considered that will not affect habitats.
Residents can also get involved if they have their own summer pollinator site on land not managed by the Council and would like to put up a sign acknowledging it as another pollinator area.
They should email media@rushcliffe.gov.uk to let the authority know of the site and can download the Council’s ‘No Mow’ signage and find out more at The Summer Pollinator scheme.
The charity Plantwise have this information pack on the 13 most common wildflowers on lawns, which are likely to be found on our no mow pollinator sites.
