WILDFLOWERS are set to proliferate in public spaces across Thurrock under an initiative confirmed by the borough council this week.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (8 December) evening, Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Thurock Council's portfolio holder for environment, sports and leisure, gave more details of the authority's plans, which were first highlighted by Thurrock Nub News in September, alongside plans to cut costs by cutting the number of staff in his department.

Cllr Jefferies outlined the council's new public spaces strategy, which he said involves close collaboration with local groups and communities and will improve open spaces and create a more biodiverse borough by allowing wild flowers and meadows to flourish on some open spaces.

He told colleagues at the meeting: "This strategy puts communities and biodiversity at the heart of our maintenance plans.

"By working with community and 'Friends of Parks' groups and focusing on allowing tall grass and wildflowers to flourish, we will create a more resilient and diverse network of parks and open spaces for more residents to use, enjoy and take pride in as important havens for wildlife on their doorsteps.

"By creating 'no mow' areas on certain verges and in specific areas of parks and other green spaces, where grass is left to grow rather than being mowed, we will encourage the growth of wildflowers and a greater diversity of wildlife and pollinators here in the borough. Grass will continue to be cut in playing fields, sports pitches and in play areas, as it always has been.

"This combines with our tree strategy which will see appropriate trees planted in suitable areas where they will have a positive environmental impact and promote physical and mental wellbeing by creating natural sanctuaries across Thurrock.

In September, when Nub News first reported on the wildflower initiative after it was put to the council's cleaner, greener and safer overview and scrutiny committee, the committee chair, Cllr Joy Redsell did issue a warning about the council's capability to manage the environment, saying: It's alright having wildlife areas but we planted some lovely poppies in Stanford Road and then the cleaner greener team came along with weed killer and killed them all!"

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The full strategy can be seen via this link.