Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee has endorsed proposals to amend grass cutting regimes across the county borough which aim to promote biodiversity.

Scrutiny Committee members endorsed the adoption of the approach used during 2021/22 as the future standard for grass cutting in the county borough. This saw highway verges and bypass routes where mowing is kept to a minimum, in accordance with Traffic Wales guidance.

It also supported the Council’s commitment to the UK wide ‘No Mow May’ campaign. This means formal grass cutting does not commence until June with the exception of visibility splays and sight lines on highways, margins and access on footways / cycle routes, sports grounds, urban areas such as housing estates, municipal parks, older persons’ accommodation, cemeteries, and play / open recreation spaces, which will continue to be maintained at the current cutting frequencies.

A list of areas that will be left to flourish during the summer period was also endorsed, along with a commitment to provide free wild flower seed packs to community groups on request.

Cllr Chris Morgan, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Green Spaces, said “We understand that there is a balance to be struck between maintaining our green spaces and encouraging nature to flourish. This approach has already been piloted throughout the county borough and positive feedback received, including a public commendation from Welsh naturalist Iolo Williams.”