Wild meadow to promote biodiversity could be started in Kenilworth town centre
A new wild meadow could be started in the centre of Kenilworth as the town council looks to lead the way in promoting biodiversity.
The grass outside the library and Jubilee House at the top of Warwick Road would be used for the meadow.
Councillors are also considering planting wild flowers as well as letting the grass grow long.
Responding to plans from Warwickshire County Council to reduce mowing across the county, Green councillor Cllr James Kennedy said Kenilworth Town Council had the chance to lead the way locally.
"It is becoming increasingly apparent that Britain has lost more of its natural biodiversity than almost all of the other European nations," he said at January's full town council meeting.
"So what can we do in Kenilworth to address this alarming situation?
"We should talk to the district council about coming up with a plan to showcase biodiversity in an urban setting right here in front of Jubilee House."
And with letting the grass grow long outside the council building not impacting lines of site from the road or taking away a space children play on, Cllr Kennedy said it was ideal.
"We as a town council ought to take the initiative and this would show Kenilworth was committed to promoting biodiversity."
But Cllr Michael Coker warned that residents would need to be consulted before mowing could just stop in the area.
"It is a question of balance," he said, "we must be careful that we are promoting something people will appreciate.
"There was a time where in the Abbey Fields we didn't cut back the nettles, and it made the walk from the pool quite unpleasant.
"We should be going for something attractive like a flower meadow, not just allowing it to grow wild."
But the decision to ask Warwick District Council to draw up plans for the wild meadow was support unanimously by councillors.
Cllr John Dearing added: "This is a really popular idea at the moment, lots of people in their gardens are trying to increase the number of wild flowers locally.
"We have a real opportunity here to meet that challenge. We have an iconic building in the centre of town, so let's get the experts involved and demonstrate how it can be done.
"And I think sensitive planting, with maybe short borders will be the way to go."
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